Irt.. 


George  Jf^ashingtoii  Flozcers 
Me??7onaI  Co/Ieclion 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


ESTABLISHED  BV  THE 
FAMILY  OF 

COLONEL  FLOWERS 


1  reasure  Room 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2011  with  funding  from 
Dul<e  University  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/officialreportso03conf 


M't^^ 


>>^- 


OFFICIAL 


EEPOETS  OF  BATTLES, 


Ej.inr.Aciisi 


THE  DEFETvTCi:  ol-'   VICTvSBLTT^O, 


BY  MAJOR  QKNEKAL  J:AUL  V.W    DORV, 


^VTTA^CK   Ui^OX     !^xVTO^.^    IIOIJGE, 


BY  MAJOR  GE-NTAI.  iJRECKINRIDOK, 


TlXiETH     r,     WITH 


THE  Rl-POllTS  OF  TlIF-  BATTLES  OK  CORINTJI  AND  ]L\T(IIIE  inUDdK;  THF. 
EXPKDITION  TO  IIA  RTbVIlJ.i;.  TiiNMi.syKE;  TJIK  AFFAIR  AT  POCOTAMliO 
AND  YEMA88EE;  THE  ACTION  NEAR  COFFEEVILLE.  MISSL-SIl'lM  ;  THE 
AOTION  ANH)  CASUALTIES  OF  T]IE  BRIQAIiE  OF  COLONEL  WMOiSTON,  AT 
FORT  DO-NELSON.  • 


R  I  C  n  M  0  N  I)  ,    V  A  .  : 

SMITH,    BAILEY   &    CO.,    PRINTERS. 
1863. 


% 


77.  z^- 

-if  46 


MESSAGE  OF  THE  PllESIDENT. 


Richmond,  Va.,  Jan.  24,   1863, 
To  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

I  herewith  transmit  a  communication  from  the  Secretary  of  "War, 
forwarding,  for  your  information,  copies  of  certain  reports  of  military 
operations,  being  a  response,  in  part,  to  your  resolution  of  the  22d 
instant. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


344350 


COMMUNICATION  FROM   THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 


CONFEDERATK   StATES  OF  AmERICA,  ^ 

War  Department      > 
Richmond,  Va.,  January  24,  18G3.  ) 

His  Excellency,  The  Presieent, 

Sir:  In  response  to  a  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
adopted  on  the  22d  instant,  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  following 
reports,  viz  : 

1.  Report  of  the  operations  at  Vicksburg  and  Baton  Rouge. 

2.  Report  of  the  battles  of  Corinth  and  llatchic  Bridge. 

3.  Report  of  the  expedition  to  Ilartsvillc,  Tcnn. 

4.  Report  of  the  aft'air  at  Pocotaligo  and  Yemassee. 
o.   lieport  of  the  action  near  Coffeeville,  Miss, 

G.  Report  of  the  action  and  casualties  of  the  Brigade  of  Colonel 
J.  M.  Simonton  at  Fort  Ponelson. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


PlEr^O  PLT 


OPERATIONS  AT  VICKSBURG  AND  BATON  ROUGE. 


RErORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  EARL  VAN  DORN. 


HeADQU.VUTERS  DrSTRICT  OF   THE  MlSS^ISSIPPI,  > 

Jackson,  Miss.,  September  9,  1862.      5 

General:  I  liavc  the  honor  to  submit,  for  the  information  of  the 
War  Department,  the  following  report  of  the  defence  of  Yicksburg, 
and  of  operations  in  this  district,  up  to  the  present  time  : 

Pursuant  to  orders  I  assumed  command  of  this  district,  and  of  the 
defences  of  Vicksburg,  on  the  i7th  day  of  June,  1862.  Prior  to  my 
arrival,  ^Lajor  General  Lovell  having  resolved  to  defend  the  city,  had 
ordered  a  detail  of  his  force,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General 
M.  L.  Smith,  to  garrison  the  place  and  construct  works  for  its  defence. 
I  found  the  city  besieged  by  a  powerful  fleet  of  war  vessels  and  an 
army.  The  inhabitants,  inspired  by  a  noble  patriotism,  had  deter- 
mined to  devote  the  city  to  destruction,  rather  than  see  it  fall  into  the 
hands  of  an  enemy  who  had  abandoned  many  of  the  rules  of  civilized" 
warfare.  This  voluntary  sacrifice,  on  the  altar  of  liberty,  inspired  me 
with  the  determination  to'  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity.  Orders  to 
this  effect  were  at  once  issued,  to  which  my  army  responded  with  the 
liveliest  enthusiasm.     The  citizens  retired  to  the  interior,  while  the 


344350 


troops  marched  in  and  pitched  their  tents  in  the  valleys  and  on  the 
hills  adjacent,  in  convenient  position  to  support  batteries  and  strike 
assaihmta.  The  batteries  of  heavy  guns,  already  established  by  the 
skill  and  energy  of  General  Smith,  on  the  crest  of  the  hills  overlook- 
ing the  river,  were  placed  in  complete  readiness  for  action.  Other  guns 
were  brought  up  from  Mobile,  from  Riclmiond,  from  Columbus  and 
elsewhere,  and  put  in  battery,  Breckinridge's  division  occupied  the 
city.  Smiths  brigade,  which,  previous  to  my  arrival,  had  furnished 
the  garrison  of  the  place,  manned  the  batteries,  and  with  details  from 
BreckiNriilge's  division,  guarded  the  approaches  in  front  and  on  the 
flanks.  "Withers'  light  artillery  was  placed  in  such  position  as  to  sweep 
all  near  approaches,  while  Stark's  cavalry  watched,  at  a  distance,  on 
our  flank  on  the  Yazoo,  and  below  Warrenton,  on  the  Mississippi. 

Prior  to  my  assuming  commard,  the  attacking  force  of  the  enemy 
"was  confined  to  Porter's  mortar  fleet  and  Farragut's  gun-boats,  (with 
their  attendant  array  in  transports.)  which  had  ascended  the  river 
from  New  Orleans.  For  the  operations  of  this  force  in  attack,  and 
for  the  successful  and  heroic  resistance  made  by  General  Smith  and 
the  troops  under  his  command,  I  refer  the  department  to  the  satisfac- 
tory and  graphic  report  of  that  officer,  herewith  communicated. 

The  evacuation  of  Fort  Pillow  and  the  fall  of  Memphis  opened  the 
new  d:;uger  of  a  combination  between  the  upper  and  lower  fleets  of 
the  enemy.  This  junction  was  efl'ected  early  in  July,  and  thus  an 
added  force  of  more  than  forty  gun-boats,  mortar-boats,  rams  and 
transports  lay  in  menace  before  the  city.  On  the  12th  of  July  it 
opened  fire,  and  kept  up  a  continuous  attack  until  the  bombardment 
of  the  city  ceased.  Having  received  authority  from  the  President  to 
use  the  ram  "  Arkansas,"  as  part  of  ray  force,  some  days  prior  to  the 
■  15th  of  July,  I  issued  an  order  to  Captain  Brown  to  assume  command 
of  her,  and  prepare  her  for  immediate  and  active  service.  From  all 
reliable  sources  I  learned  that  she  was  a  vessel  capable  of  great  re- 
sistance, and  armed  with  large  offensive  power.  Making  the  order 
imperative,  I  commanded  Captain  Brown  to  take  her  through  the  raft 
of  the  Yazoo,  and  after  sinking  the  "  Star  of  the  West"  in  the  pas- 
sage to  go  out  and  attack  the  upper  fleet  of  the  enemy  to  the  cover  of 
my  batteries.  I  left  it  to  his  judgment  to  determine  whether  on 
reaching  the  city  his  vessel  was  in  condition  to  proceed  down  the  river 
and  destroy  the  lower  mortar  fleet.  Captain  Brown  properly  substi- 
tuted a  vessel  of  inferior  quality  in  place  of  the  "  Star  of  the  West,'' 
entered  the  Mississippi,  and  on  the  memorable  morniiig  of  the  loth 
of  July,  immortalized  his  single  vessel,  himself,  and  the  heroes  under 
his  command  by  an  achievement,  the  most  brilliant  ever  recorded  in 
naval  annals.  I  deeply  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  enricli  my  report 
by  an  authentic  account  of  the  heroic  action  of  the  ofliccrs  and  men 
of  the  "Arkansas."  Commodore  Lynch  declines  to  furnish  me  with 
a  report  ofLlho  action,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  an  officer  out  of  tho 
scope  of  my  command.  The  glory  of  this  deed  of  the  ''Arkansas" 
stung  the  pride  of  the  Federal  navy,  and  led  to  the  most  speedy,  but 
unsuccessful  efforts  of  the  combined  fleets  to  destroy  her.  I  refer  the 
department  to  the  accompanying  report  of  General  Smith  for  an  ac- 


curate  detail  of  those  efforts,  as  also  for  a  connected  and  faithful 
relation  of  the  important  events  which  make  the  history  of  the  siege  and 
defence  of  Vicksburg.  With  the  fiiilure  to  destroy  or  take  the  ''■■  Ar- 
kansas," the  siege  of  Vicksburg  practically  ended.  The  attack  on 
the  batteries  soon  ceased,  and  the  enemy  baffled  and  enraged  by  an 
unexpected,  determined  and  persistent  defence,  vented  his  wrath  in 
impotent  and  barbarian  efforts  to  destroy  the  city.  Or.  the  27th  of 
July,  both  fleets  disappeared,  foiled  in  a  more  than  two  months'  strug- 
gle to  reduce  the  place.  The  casualties  on  our  side,  during  the  entire 
siege,  were  twenty-two  killed  and  wounded.  Xot  a  gun  was  dis- 
mounted, and  but  two  were  temporarily  disabled.  The  successful 
defence  of  Vicksburg  is  due  to  the  unflinching  valor  of  the  cannoniers, 
who,  unwearied  by  watchfulness  night  and  day,  stood  by- their  guns 
unawed  by  the  terrors  of  a  fierce  and  continuous  bombardment ;  to 
the  sleepless  vigilance  and  undaunted  courage  of  the  troops,  who  lay, 
at  all  hours,  in  close  supporting  distance  of  every  .battery,  ready  to 
beat  back  the  invader  so  soon  as  his  footsteps  should  touch  the  shore ; 
to  the  skilful  location  of  scattered  batteries,  and  last,  not  least,  to 
that  groat  moral  power — a  high  "and  patriotic  resolve  pervading  and 
swelling  the  breasts  of  oflicers,  soldiers  and  citizens,  that,  at  every 
cost,  the  enemy  should  he  expelled.  I  refer  tlic  department  to  the  specific 
enumeration  of  the  names  of  oflicers  and  men  who  won  distinction  by 
meritorious  service  during  the  siege,  as  reported  by  General  Smith, 
and  I  heartily  endorse  his  commendations.  Satisfied  that  the  enemy 
disappeared  from  Vicksburg,  under  the  mortifying  conviction  that  it 
was  impregnable  to  his  attack,  I  resolved  to  strike  a  blow  before  he 
had  time  to  organize  and  mature  a  new  scheme  of  assault. 

Tiie  enemy  held  Baton  Rouge,  the  capital  of  Louisiana,  forty  mifes 
below  the  mouth  of  Red  river,  \vith  a  laud  force  of  about  three  thou- 
sand five  hundred  men,  in  conjunction  with  four  or  five  gun-boats, 
and  some  transports.  It  was  a  matter  of  great  necessity  to  us  that 
the  navigation  of  Red  river  should  be  opened  as  high  as  Vicksburg. 
Supplies,  much  needed,  existed  there,  hard  to  be  obtained  from  any 
other  quarter,  and  strong  military  reasons  demanded  that  we  should 
hold  the  Mississippi  at  two  points,  to  facilitate  communications  and 
co-operation  between  my  district  and  the  trans-Mississippi  department. 
The  capture  of  Baton  Rouge,  and  the  forces  of  the  enemy  at  that 
point,  would  open  the  Mississippi,  secure  the  navigation  of  Red  river, 
then  in  a  state  of  blockade,  and  also  render  easier  the  recapture  of 
New  Orleans.  To  this  end  I  gave  orders  to  General  Breckinridge  to 
move  upon  Baton  Rouge  with  a  force  of  five  thousand  men,  picked 
from  the  troops  at  Vicksburg,  and  added  to  his  command  the  whole 
effective  force  of  General  Ruggles,  then  at  Camp  Moore,  making  a 
total  force  of  six  thouand  men.  To  ensure  the  success  of  the  plan,  I 
ordered  the  *' Arkansas"  to  co-operate  with  the  land  forces  by  a 
simultaneous  attack  from  the  river.  All  damages  sustained  by  the 
"  Arkansas"  from  the  fleets  of  the  enemy  had  been  repaired,  and 
when  she  left  the  wharf  at  Vicksburg  for  Baton  Rouge,  she  was 
deemed  to  be  as  formidable,  in  attack  or  defence,  as  when  she  defied  a 
fleet  of  forty  vessels  of  war,  many  of  them  iron-clads.     With  such 


effective  means,  I  deemed  the  taking  of  Baton  Rouge  and  the  destruc- 
tion or  capture  of  eneniy  on  the  land  and  water,  the  reasonable  result 
of  the  expiiiition.  By  epidemic  disease,  the  land  force  under  Maj. 
Gen.  Brcckinrid;ie  Avas  reduced  to  less  than  three  thousand  effective 
men,  within  tlie  period  of  ten  days  after  he  reached  Camp  Moore. 
The  "Arkansas,"  after  arriving  within  a  short  distance  of  Jjaton  Rouge, 
in  ample  time  for  joint  action  at  the  appointed  hour  of  attack,  sud- 
denly became  unmanageable,  from  a  failure  in  her  machinery  and 
engine,  which  all  the  efforts  of  her  engineers  could  not  repair.  The 
gallant  Breckinridge,  advised  by  telegram  every  hour  of  her  progress 
towards  Baton  Houge,  and  counting  on  her  co-operation,  .'ittacked  the 
enemy  with  his  whole  effective  force,  then  reduced  to  about  two  thou- 
sand five  l;»ri<lred  men,  drove  him  from  all  his  po^itions,  and  forced 
him  to  seek  protection  under  the  cover  of  his  gun-boats.  I  regret  to 
state  that  the  labors  of  General  Breckinridge,  in  a  distant  field  of 
operations,  have  thus  fir  prevented  him  from  making  to  me  a  report  of 
his  action,  but  cnongli  h:i.s  transpirt'd  to  enable  me  t(rassure  the  depart- 
ment that  tlie  battle  of  Baton  Rouge  illustrated  the  valor  of  our 
troops,  and  the  skill  and  intrepidity  of  their  commander.  His  report 
will  be  forwarded  as^oon  as  it  is  received.  It  will  be  thus  manifest 
to  the  dopartn  cut  that  an  enterprise,  so  hopeful  in  its  promise,  met 
with  partial  failure,  only  from  causes  Svhich  were  not  only  beyond  my 
control,  but  out  of  the  reach  of  ordinary  foresight.  I  could  not  antici- 
pate the  sudden  illness  of  tliree  thousand  picked  men,  and  the  failure  of 
the  '•  Arkansas"  at  the  critical  hour  appointed  to  her  for  added  honors, 
was  a  joyful  surprise  to  the  startled  fleet  of  the  enemy,  and  a  won- 
der to  all  who  had  witnessed  her  glory  at  Vicksburg.  Advised  of 
thS  re=ult  of  the  expedition,  I  immediately  ordered  the  occupation  of 
Port  Hudson,  a  point  selected  for  its  -eligLbility  of  defence,  and  for  its 
capacity  for  offensive  annoyance  of  the  enemy,  established  batteries, 
manned  them  with  experienced  gunners,  and  guarded  them  by  an 
adequate  sup])oiting  force,  holding  Baton  Rouge,  in  the  meanwhile, 
in  menace.  The  effect  of  these  operations  was  the  evacuation  of 
Baton  Rouge  by  the  enemy,  and  his  disappearance  from  the  Missis- 
sippi .between  the  capital  of  Louisiana  and  Vicksburg.  The  results 
sought  by  the  movements  against  Baton  Rouge,  have  been,  to  a  great 
extent,  attaine<l.  We  hold  two  points  on  the  Mississippi — more  than 
two  hundred  miles — unmolested  by  the  enemy,  and  closed  to  him. 
The  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river  from  the  mouth  of  Red  river 
to  Vicksburg  was  at  once  opened,  and  still  remains  open  to  our  com- 
merce, giving  us  also  the  important  advantage  of  water  connection,  by 
Red  river,  of  the  east  with  the  west.  Indispensable  supplies  have  been, 
and  continue  to  be,  drawn  from  this  source.  The  desired  facilities  for 
communication  and  co-operation  between  this  district  and  the  trans- 
Mississippi  department  have  been  established.  The  recapture  of  New 
Orleans  has  been  made  easier  to  our  army. 

I  think  it  due  to  the  truth  of  history  to  correct  the  error,  industri- 
ously spread  by  the  official  reports  of  the  enemy,  touching  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  "'Arkansas."  She  was  no  trophy  won  by  the  "Essex," 
nor  did  she  receive  injury  at  Baton  Rouge  from  the  hands  of  any  of 


her  adversaries.  Lieutenant  Stevens,  her  gallant  commander,  finding 
her  unmanageable,  moored  her  to  the  shore.  On  the  cautious  ap- 
proach of  the  enemy,  who  kept  at  a  respectful  distance,  he  landed  his 
crew,  cut  her  from  her  moorings,  fired  her  with  his  own  hands,  and 
turned  her  adrift  down  the  river.  With  every  gun  shotted,  our  fl  ig  lloat- 
ing  from  her  bow,  and  not  a  man  on  board,  the  "Arkansas"'  bore  down 
upon  the  enemy,  and  gave  him  battle.  Her  guns  were  discharged  as 
the  flames  reached  them,  and  when  her  last  shot  was  fired,  the  explo- 
sion of  her  magazine  ended  the  brief  but  glorious  career  of  the  "  Ar- 
kansas." "  It  was  beautiful,"  said  Lieutenant  Stevens,  Avhile  the 
tears  stood  in  his  eyes,  "to  see  her,  when  abandoned  by  commander 
and  crew,  and  dedicated  to  sacrifice,  fighting  the  battle  on  her  own 
hook."  I  trust  that  the  official  report  of  Commodore  Lynch  will  do 
justice  to  the  courage,  constancy  and  resolution  of  the  officers  and 
men,  who  were  the  last  crew  of  the  "  Arkansas."  I  deem  it  eminently 
proper  to  say  to  the  department,  that  neither  the  spirit  which  resolved 
to  dispute  at  Vicksburg,  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Mississippi  river,  nor 
the  energy  which  successfully  executed  that  resolution  was  local  in  its 
character  ;  nor  was  it  a  s})irit  bounded  by  State  lines,  or  circuuii^ciibed 
by  Stale  pritk.  It  was  a  broad,  catholic  spirit,  wide  as  our  country, 
and  unlimited  as  the  independenee  we  struggle  to  establish  The 
power  which  baffled  the  enemy,  resided  in  the  breasts  of  the  soldiers 
of  S'ven  States,  marshaled  behind  the  ramparts  of  Vicksburg.  ^lis- 
sissippians  were  there,  but  there  too,  also,  were  the  men  of  Kentu.-ky, 
of  Tennessee,- of  Alabama,  of  Arkansas,  of  Louisiana,  and  of  Mis- 
souri, as  ready  to  defend  the  emporium  of  Mississippi  as  to  strike 
down  the  foe  at  their  own  hearthstones.  I  incorporate,  with  my  report, 
a  schedule  of  the  forces  under  ray  command  at  Vicksburg,  as  a  pro- 
per contribution  to  the  archives  of  the  Confederacy. 

General  IMm. — Fourth  Kentucky  volunteers.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Htdcs  ;  fifth  Kentucky  volunteers.  Colonel  Hunt ;  thirty-first  Alabama 
volunteers.  Colonel  Edwards  ;  fourth  Alabama  battalion.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Snodgrass  ;  thirty-first  Mississippi  volunteers.  Colonel  Orr; 
Hudson  battery. 

General  J.  S.  Bowcn. — First  Missouri  volunteers.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Riley;  tenth  Arkansas  volunteers;  ninth  Arkansas  voluiiteers,  Col- 
onel Dunlap ;  sixth  Mississippi  volunteers,  Colonel  Lowry  ;  second 
Confederate  battalion;   Watson's  battery,  Captain  Bursley. 

General  Preston. — Third  Kentucky  volunteers.  Colonel  Thompson  ; 
sixth  Kentucky  volunteers,  C(ilonel  Lewis;  seventh  Kentucky  volun- 
teers. Colonel  Crossland;  thirty-fifth  xVlabaraa  volunteers,  Colonel 
Robertson  ;   Cobb's  battery,  Lieutenant  Gracy. 

Colonel  W.  S.  Statham. — Fifteenth  Mississippi  volunteers,  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Farrell;  twenty-second  Mississippi  voluntceis.  Captain 
Hughes  ;  nineteenth  Tennessee  volunteers,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moore  ; 
twentieth  Tennessee  volunteers.  Colonel  Smith  ;  twenty-eighth  Ten- 
nessee volunteers.  Colonel  Brown  ;  forty-fifth  Tennessee  volunteers, 
Colonel  Searcey;   ^NlcClung's  battery.  Captain  McClung. 

General  M.  L.  Smith. — Company  of  sappers  and  miners.  Captain 
Winters ;    twenty-sixth    Louisiana   volunteers,    Colonel    DeClouctt ; 


10 

twcnty-fiftli  Louisiana  volunteers,  Colonel  Thomcs;  sixth  Missis5;ippi 
battalion,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Balfour;  twenty-seventh  Louisiana 
volunteers,  Colonel  Marks;  third  Mississippi  volunteers.  Colonel 
Mellon  ;  seventeenth  Louisiana  volunteers,  Colonel  Richardson  ; 
fourth  liOuisiana  volunteers,  Colonel  Allen  ;  company  I^  thirty-seventh 
Mississippi  volunteers,  Captain  RanJall  ;  fust,  Mississippi  light  artil- 
lery, Colonel  Withers;  regiment  heavy  artiller}'-,  Colonel  Jackson  ; 
eighth  Louisiana  battalion,  Pinckncy ;  first  Louisiana  battalion,  Major 
Clinch  ;  twenty -eighth  Mississippi  cavalry,  Colonel  Stark  ;  battalion 
zouaves,  Major  Dupiero  ;  cavalry  escort,  Lieutenant  Bradley. 

To  the  members  of  my  staff.  Majors  Kimmcl  and  Stith,  Assistant 
Adjutant  Generals ;  to  Majors  Joseph  D.  Balfour  and  A,  M,  Haskell, 
Inspectors;  to  Surgeon  Choppin,  Medical  Director;  Surgeon  Bryan, 
Medical  Inspector;  to  Lieutenants  Sulivan  and  Shoemaker,  my  Aids; 
to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Lomax,  Assistant  Adjutant  and  Inspector 
General;  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  P.  Mayor,  Acting  Engineer;  Captain 
A.  H.  Cross,  Captain  Thyssing,  Engineer  ;  to  Colonel  Fred.  Tate, 
and  to  Majors  Uriel  "Wright  and  Wechler,  volunteer  Aids,  I  return  my 
thanks  for  the  ready  and  efficient  services  rendered  by  them  in  their 
respective  departments. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

EARL  VAN  DORN, 

Major  General. 

Since  this  report  was  written,  I  have  received  the  report  of  Major 
General  Breckinridge,  of  his  operations  at  Baton  Rouge  and  Port 
Hudson,  herewith  forwarded.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  commend  to  the 
special  notice  of  the  department  the  names  of  all  who  won  distinction 
in  this  service 

EARL  VAN  DORN,  Major  General. 


MAJOR    GENERAL   BRECKINRIDGE'S    REPORT    OF    OPE- 
RATIONS AGAINST  BATON  ROUGE,  LA. 


Headquarters  Breckinridge's  Division,  ^ 
September  3Utli,   1862.  5 

Major  M.  M.  Kimmel, 

Assistai  t  Adjutant  General : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  operations  of  a  portion  of  mj 
division,  recently  ordered  from  Vicksburg  to  Camp  Moore,  and  Baton 
Rouge,  Louisiana,  by  ]Major  General  Van  Dorn  : 

I  left  Vicksburg  on  the  27th  of  July  with  somewhat  less  than  four 
thousand  men,  and  arrived  at  Camp  Moore  the  evening  of  the  28th. 
The  Major  General  commanding  the  district  having  received  intelli- 
gence that  the  enemy  w%'is  threatening  Camp  Moore  in  force,  the 
movement  was  made  suddenly  and  rapidly  by  railroad,  and  having  but 
few  cars,  nothing  could  be  transported  except  the  troops,  with  their 
arms  and  ammunition.  Brigadier  General  Charles  Clark,  who  had 
reported  for  duty  a  few  days  before  our  departure  from  Vicksburg, 
promptly  and  kindly  consented  to  accompany  the  expedition.  Briga- 
dier General  Ruggles  was  already  at  Camp  Moore,  in  command  of  a 
small  force,  with  which  he  had  kept  the  enemy  in  check.  The  troops 
were  immediately  organized  in  two  divisions.  General  Clark  taking 
command  of  the  first,  and  General  Ruggles  of  the  second  division. 
Th*e  rumor  of  an  advance  of  the  enemy  in  force  upon  Camp  Moore 
proved  to  be  unfounded.  On  the  3()th  of  July,  in  obedience  to  a  dis- 
patch of  the  29th,  from  the  Major  General  commanding  the  district, 
the  troops  Avere  put  in  motion  for  Baton  Rouge.  Duiing  the  march  1 
received  information  that  the  effective  force  of  the  enemy  was  not  less 
than  five  thousand  men,  and  that  the  ground  was  commanded  by  t][iree 
gun-boats  lying  in  the  river,  ]My  own  troops  having  suffered  severe- 
ly from  the  effects  of  exposure  at  Vicksburg,  from  heavy  rains,  with- 
out shelter,  and  from  the  extreme  heat,  did  not  now  number  more 
than  thirty-four  hundred  men.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  deter- 
mined not  to  make  the  attack  unless  we  could  be  relieved  fro\n  the 
fire  of  the  fleet.  Accordingly  I  telegraphed  to  the  M;ijor  General 
commanding  the  condition  and  number  of  the  troops,  and  the  reported 
strength  of  the  enemy,  but  said  I  would  undertake  to  capture  the 
garrison,  if  the  "  Arkansas"  could  be  sent  down  to  clear  the  river,  or 
divert  the  fire  of  the  gun-boats.  He  promptly  answered,  thnt  the 
**  Arkansas"  would  be  ready  to  co-operate  at  dav'ight  on  Tuesday,, 
the  5th  of  August.  On  the  afternoon  of  Monday  the  4th,  the  com- 
mand having  reached  the  Comite  river,  ten  miles  from  Baton  Rouge. 


IS 

and  learning  by  an  express  messenger  that  the  "  Arkansas"  had 
passed  Bayou  Sara  in  time  to  arrive  at  the  proper  moment,  prepara- 
tions were  made  to  advance  that  niglit.  The  sickness  had  been  ap- 
palling. The  morning  report  of  the  fourth  showing  but  three  thou- 
Biind  cifectivcs.  and  deducting  thope  taken  sick  during  the  day,  and 
the  number  that  fell  out  from  weakness  on  the  night  march,  I  did  not 
carry  into  the  action  more  than  twenty-six  hundred  ipen.  This  esti- 
mate does  not  include  some  two  hundred  partisan  rangers,  who  had 
performed  efficient  service  in  picketing  the  different  roads,  but  who, 
from  the  nature  of  the  ground  took  no  part  in  the  action ;  nor  about 
the  same  number  of  militia,  hastily  collected  by  Colonel  Hardee  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Clinton,  who,  though  making  every  effort,  couhl 
not  arrive  in  time  to  participate.  The  command  left  the  Comite  at  11 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  reached  the  vicinity  of  Baton  Rouge  a  little  be- 
fore day-break  on  the  morning  of  the  oth.  Some  hours  before  the 
main  body  moved,  a  small  force  of  infantry,  with  a  section  of  Semmes' 
battery,  under  liicutenant  Fauntleroy,  the  whole  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Shields,  of  the  3l)th  Lou-isiana,  was  sent  by  a  cir- 
'Cuitous  route  to  the  road  leading  from  Clinton  to  Baton  Rouge,  with 
•orders  to  drive  in  any  pickets  of  the  enemy,  and  attack  his  left  as 
•soon  as  the  action  should  begin  in  front.  This  service  was  well  per- 
formed, but  for  details  reference  is  made  to  the  report  of  Brigailier 
General  Ruggles,  from  whose  command  the  force  was  detached. 
While  waiting  for  daylight  to  make  the  attack,  an  accident  occurred 
which  deprived  us  of  several  excellent  officers  and  enlisted  men,  and 
two  pieces  of  artillery.  The  partisan  rangers  were  placed  in  rear  of 
the  artillery  and  infantry,  yet  during  the  darkness  a  few  of  them 
leaked  through,  and  riding  forward  encountered  the  enemy,  causing 
exchange  of  shots  between  the  pickets.  Galloping  back,  they  pro 
duced  some  confusion,  which  led  to  rapid  firing  for  a  few  moments, 
during  which  Brigadier  General  Helm  was  dangerously  injured  by  the 
■fall  of  his  horse,  Lieutenant  Todd,  his  aid-de-camp  killed.  Captain 
Roberts,  of  the  Fourth  Kentucky,  severely  wounded,  several  enlisted 
men  killed  and  wounded,  and  two  of  Captain  Cobb's  three  guns  ren- 
dered for  the  time  wholly  useless.  After  General  Helm  was  disabled, 
Cglonel  Thomas  H.  Hunt  assumed  command  of  his  brigade.  Order  was 
soou  restored,  and  the  force  placed  in  position  on  the  right  and  left  of 
the  Greenwell  Springs'  road.  I  was  olDliged  to  content  myself  with  a 
single  line  of  battle,  and  a  small  regiment  of  infantry,  with  one  piece 
of  artillery  to  each  division  as  a  reserve.  The  enemy  (expecting  the 
attack)  was  drawn  up  m  two  lines,  or  rather  in  one  line,  with  strong 
reserves  distributed  at  intervals.  At  the  moment  there  was  light 
•enough,  our  troops  moved  rapidly  forward.  General  Ruggles,  com- 
manding the  left,  brought  on  the  engagement  with  four  pieces  of 
Semmos'  battery,  the  4th  and  3i)th  Louisiana,  and  Boyd's  Louisiana 
battalion,  under  command  of  Colonel  Allen,  of  the  4th  Louisiana, 
and  the  3d,  Gth  and  7th  Kentucky,  and  the  35th  Alabama,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Thompson,  of  the  3d  Kentucky.  These  troops 
moved  forward  with  great  impct.uosity,  driving  the  enemy  before 
tiiem,  while  their  ringing  cheers  inspired  all  our  little  command. 


13 

The  Louisiana  troops  charged  a  battery  and  captured  two  pieces- 
At  this  point  Colonel  Allen,  commanding  the  brigade,  while  pressing 
forward  with  the  colors  in  his  hand,  had  both  legs  shattered,  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Boyd  received  a  severe  wound.  This  produced 
confusion,  and  the  enemy  at  the  same  moment  throwing  forward  a 
strong  reinforcement,  the  brigade  was  forced  back  in  some  disorder. 
It  was  rallied  by  the  efforts  of  Colonel  Breaux,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hunter,  and  other  officers,  and  although  it  did  not  further  participate 
in  the  assault,  it  maintained  its  position  under  a  fire  from  the  gun- 
boats and  land  batteries  of  the  enemy.  During  this  time,  Thompson's 
brigade,  Avhlch  composed  the  right  of  Ruggles'  division,  Avas  behaving 
with  great  gallantry,  often  driving  back  superior  forces,  and  towards 
the  close  of  the  action,  took  part  in  the  final  struggle  from  a  position 
immediately  on  the  left  of  the  first  division.  Colonel  Thompson,  being 
severely  wounded  in  a  charge,  the  command  devolved  on  Colonel 
Robertson,  of  the  thirty- fifth  Alabama,  whose  conduct  fully  justified 
the  confidence  of  his  troops.  The  Louisiana  battery.  Captain  Semmes, 
was  admirably  handled  throughout.  The  first  division,  under  General 
Clark,  being  the  second  brigade,  composed  of  the  fourth  and  fifth 
Kentucky,  thirty-first  Mississipppi,  thirty-first  and  fourth  Alabama, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Hunt,  of  the  fifth  Kentucky,  and  tlie  fourth 
brigade,  composed  of  the  fifteenth  and  twenty-second  Mississippi,  and 
the  nineteenth,  twentieth,  twenty-eighth  and  forty-fifth  Tennessee 
consolidated  into  one  battalion,  commanded  by  Colonel  Smith,  of  the 
twentieth  Tennessee,  together  with  the  Hudson  battery,  and  one  piece 
of  Cobb's  battery,  advanced  to  the  right  of  the  Greenwell  Springs 
road.  On  the  right,  as  on  the  left,  the  enemy  was  constantly  pressed 
back,  until  after  several  hours  of  fighting  he  was  driven  to  his  last 
encampment  in  a  large  grove  just  in  rear  of  the  penitentiary.  Here 
the  contest  was  hot  and  obstinate,  and  it  was  here  the  first  division 
suffered  the  greatest  loss.  Colonel  Hunt  was  shot  down,  and  upon 
the  fall  of  that  excellent  officer,  at  the  suggestion  of  General  Clark, 
and  with  the  consent  of  the  officers  concerned,  1  placed  Captain  John 
A.  Buckner,  Assistant  Adjutant  General  on  my  staff,  in  command  of 
the  second  brigade.  In  the  management  of  his  command  he  displayed 
so  high  a  degree  of  skill  and  courage  that  I  commend  him  especially  to 
the  notice  of  the  government.  General  Clark  pressed  the  attack  at 
this  point  with  great  vigor,  until  he  received  a  wound,  which  was  sup- 
posed to  be  mortal,  Avhen,  through  some  misapprehension,  the  second 
brigade  began  to  fall  back  down  the  slope,  but  without  confusion. 
Captain  Buckner  learning,  upon  inquiry  from  me,  that  I  did  not 
desire  a  retrograde  movement,  immediately,  aided  by  Major  Wicklifte,. 
of  the  fifth  Kentucky  regiment, '(Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell,  who 
was  injured  by  the  accident  of  the  preceding  night,  having  been 
obliged  to  retire,)  and  other  regimental  officers  faced  the  brigade  about 
and  renewed  the  attack.  At  the  same  time  Colonel  Smith,  com- 
manding fourth  brigade,  composed  of  the  consolidated  Ttnnesse  regi- 
ments, and  the  twenty-second  Mississippi,  Captain  Hughes,  was 
ordered  forward,  and  moved  against  the  enemy  in  fine  style.  In  a 
few  moments  Captain  Hughes  received  a  mortal  wound  at  the  head  of. 


14 

his  regiment.  Observing  some  troops  on  the  left,  partially  sheltered 
by  a  shallow  cut  in  the  road,  who  proved  to  be  the  remnant  of  Tbomp- 
Bon's  brigade,  and  out  of  ammunition.  I  ordered  them  to  advance  to 
the  support  of  the  first  division  with  the  bayonet.  The  order  was 
promptly  obeyed,  and  in  executing  it,  1  happened  to  observe,  as  dis- 
tinguished for  alacrity,  Colonel  Crossland.  of  the  7th  Kentucky, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Goodwin,  of  the  thirty-fifth  Alabama,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Terry,  of  the  8th  Kentucky,  on  duty  with  Sharp-shooters. 
At  this  critical  point,  Major  Krown,  chief  commissary,  and  Captain 
Richards,  one  of  my  aids,  were  conspicuous  in  urging  on  the  troops. 
In  this  assault  we  suffered  considerably  from  the  fire  of  the  fleet  until 
the  opposing  lines  approached  each  other  so  closely  that  a  regard  for 
their  own  friends  obliged  them  to  suspend.  The  contest  at  and  around 
this  last  encampment  was  bloody,  but  at  the  end  of  it  the  enemy  were 
completely  routed,  some  of  our  men  pursuing  and  firing  at  them  for 
some  distance  down  the  street  running  in  front  of  the  arsenal  and 
barracks.  They  did  not  reappear  during  the  day.  It  was  now  10 
o'clock.  We  had  listened  in  vain  for  the  guns  of  the  "Arkansas."  I 
saw  around  me  not  more  than  one  thousand  exhausted  men.  who  had 
been  unable  to  procure  water  since  we  left  the  Comite  river.  The 
enemy  had  several  batteries  commanding  the  approaches  to  the  arsenal 
and  barracks,  and  the  gunboats  had  already  reopened  upon  us  with  a 
direct  fire.  Under  these  circumstances,  although  the  troops  showed 
the  utmost  indifference  to  danger  and  death,  and  were  even  reluctant 
to  retire,  I  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  pursue  the  victory  further. 
Having  scarcely  any  transportation,  I  ordered  all  the  camps  and  stores 
of  the  enemy  to  be  destroyed,  and  directing  Captain  Buckner  to  place 
one  section  of  Semraes'  battery,  supported  by  the  seventh  Kentucky, 
in  a  certain  position  on  the  field,  withdrew  the  rest  of  the  troops  about 
one  mile  to  *'  Ward's  Creek,"  with  the  hope  of  obtaining  water,  but 
finding  none  there  fit  for  man  or  beast,  I  moved  the  command  back  to 
the  field  of  battle,  and  procured  a  very  imperfect  supply  from  some 
cisterns  in  the  suburbs  of  the  town.  This  position  we  occupied  for 
the  rest  of  the  day. 

The  citizens  of  the  surrounding  and  thinly  settled  country  exhibited 
the  warmest  patriotism,  and  with  their  assistance,  conveyances  enough 
were  procured  to  carry  off  all  our  wounded  who  could  bear  removal. 
A  few,  armed  with  shot  guns  and  other  weapon;-,  had  been  able  to  reach 
the  field  in  time  to  join  in  the  attack.  Having  neither  picks  nor 
shovels,  we  were  unable  to  dig  graves  for  the  burial  of  the  dead.  I 
still  hoped  for  the  co-operation  of  the  "Arkansasj"  and,  in  that  event, 
intendwl  to  reneV  the  attack.  J3ut  late  in  the  afternoon,  I  learned  by 
express  that  before  daylight,  and  "svithin  five  miles  of  Baton  Rouge, 
her  machinery  had  become  disabled,  and  she  lay  helpless  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river.  Upon  receiving  this  intelligence,  I  returned  with 
my  command  to  the  Comite  river,  leaving  a  force  of  observation  near 
the  suburbs  of  the  town.  Tiie  Hudson  battery,  Lieut.  Sweeney,  and 
Cobb's  one  piece,  in  charge  of  Sergeant  Hawk  Peak,  platted  their  part 
well,  I  am  unable  to  give  the  exact  force  of  the  enemy,  but  by  com- 
paring all  my  information  with  the  number  and  size  of  their   camps, 


15 

and  the  extent  and  weight  of  their  fire,  I  do  not  think  they  brought 
into  action  less  than  forty-  five  hundred  men.  We  had  eleven  pieces 
of  field  artillery.  They  brought  to  bear  on  us  not  less  than  eighteen 
pieces,  exclusive  of  the  guns  of  the  fleet.  In  one  respect  the  contrast 
between  the  opposing  forces  was  very  striking.  The  cjiemy  were  well 
clothed,  and  their  encampments  showed  the  presence  of  every  comfort 
and  even  luxury.  Our  men  had  little  transportation,  indift'erent  food, 
and  no  shelter.  Half  of  them  had  no  coats,  and  hundreds  of  them 
were  without  either  shoes  or  socks ;  yet  no  troops  ever  behaved  with 
greater  gallantry,  and  even  reckless  audacity.  What  can  make  this 
difference,  unless  it  be  the  sublime  courage  inspired  by  a  just  cause? 
The  wound  of  Brigadier  General  Charles  Clark  being  thought  mortal, 
and  the  least  motion  causing  great  agony,  he  was  left  on  tlie  field  at 
his  own  request,  his  aid,  Lieutenant  Yerger,  remaining  with  him. 
The  next  morning  they  gave  themselves  up  to  the  enemy.  I  cannot 
speak  in  terras  too  strong  of  the  skill,  coolness  and  courage  of  Gene- 
ral Clark.  He  played  the  part  of  a  perfect  soldier.  Brigadier 
General  Ruggles  conducted  the  attack  on  the*  left  with  uncommon 
rapidity  and  precision,  and  exhibited  throughout  the  qualities  of  a 
brave  and  experienced  officer.  In  addition  to  the  officers  of  my  staff 
already  mentioned,  I  desire  to  express  my  acknowledgements  of  the 
zeal  and  gallantry  of  Major  Wilson,  chief  of  artillery,  Major  Hope, 
inspector  general,  whose  horse^was  shot  under  him.  Captain  Nocquet, 
chief  of  engineers,  Lieut.  Breckinridge,  aid-de-camp,  and  Dr.  Ten-  . 
dleton,  medical,  director,  assisted  by  Dr.  Weatherly,  on  temporary 
service.  A  number  of  gentlemen  from  Louisiana  and  el.ie where,  ren- 
dered efficient  service  as  volunteers,  among  whom  were  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Finckney,  ^L".  Addison  and  Captain  Bird,  of  Louisiana, 
Lieutennnt  Colonel  Brewer,  of  Kentucky,  and  Mr.  William  B.  Hamil- 
ton, of  Mississippi.  The  thanks  of  the  army  are  due  to  the  Hon. 
Thomas  J.  Davidson,  for  his  attention  to  the  hospitals,  and  to  all  the 
inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Louisiana  for  their  devotion  to  our  sick 
and  wounded.  Colonel  Pond  and  ]\Iajor  DeBaum,  in  command  of 
partisan  rangers,  were  efficient  before  and  after  the  battle,  in  observing 
and  harassing  the  enemy.  The  inability  of  General  Clark,  and  the 
failure  of  several  officers  to  make  reports,  may  prevent  full  justice  to 
the  conduct  of  the  first  divif^ion.  Any  omission  here,  will,  when 
brought  to  my  notice,  he  embodied  in  a  supplemental  report.  The 
report  of  General  Ruggles  is  very  full,  as  to  all  that  occurred  on  the 
left.  I  send  herewith  a  list  of  the  officers  and  men  specially  men- 
tioned in  the  division,  brigade  and  regimental  reports,  for  gallant 
conduct,  with  the  request  that  it  be  published  and  the  names  brought 
to  the  favorable  notice  of  the  gr)vernment.  I  transmit,  also,  the 
reports  of  the  subordinate  commanders,  and  the  returns  of  the  killed 
and  wounded.  It  will  be  seen  that  our  casualties  amounted  to  467. 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  much  greater. 
We  captured  two  flags  and  a  few  prisoners.  Nothing  was  left  by  ub 
but  one  caisson,  which  was  so  much  injured  as  to  be  wholly  unser- 
viceable, one  of  the  enemy's  being  brought  off  in  its  place.  After  the 
battle,  the  enemy,  who  had  previously  been  plundering,  burning  houses, 


16 

ami  other  property,  stealing  negroes,  and  seizing  citizens  through  a 
large  region  of  country,  never  ventured  to  send  out  another  maraud- 
ing f  >rcc.  Our  pickets  continued  to  extend  to  tlie  immediate  vicinity 
of  Baton  Rouge,  and  very  soon  the  enemy  abandoned  the  place,  and 
retired  to  New  Orleans.  A  few  days  after  the  engagement,  knowing 
the  desire  of  the  Major  General  comirianding  to  secure  a  strong  po.^i- 
tion  on  the  Mississippi,  below  the  mouth  of  Red  river,  I  occupied 
Port  Hudson  with  a  portion  of  the  troops  under  the  command  of 
Brigailicr  (reuerai  Rugglos.  The  next  day  1  received  orders  to  remove 
all  the  troops  to  that  puint.  Brigadier  General  Bowen,  who  had  just 
arrived,  was  left  with  his  command  on  the  Comite  river,  to  observe 
Baton  Rouge  from  that  quarter,  to  protect  our  hospitals,  and  to  cover 
the  line  of  communication  between  Clinton  and  Camp  Moore.  I 
directed  General  Ruggles  to  select  eligilde  positions  at  Port  Hudson 
for  heavy  batteries,  and  ordered  Captain  Nocquet,  chief  engineer,  to 
report  to  him  temporarily  for  this  duty.  Upon  my  arrival  there,  I 
found  that  rapid  progress  had  been  made,  ajid  some  of  the  works  under 
charge  of  Captain  lS't)cquet,  were  ready  to  receive  the  guns,  which 
the  major  general  commanding  wrote  me  were  on  the  way.  Port  Hud- 
son is  one  of  the  strongest  points  of  the  ^lississippi.  which  Baton 
Rouge  is  not,  and  batteries  there  will  command  the  river  more  com- 
pletely than  at  Yicksburg.  On  the  19th  day  of  August,  in  obedience 
to  orriers  from  the  headquarters  of  th^department,  1  moved  from  Port 
Hudson  for  Jackson,  Mississippi,  with  a  portion  of  the  force,  leaving 
Brigadier  General  Ruggles  in  command  with troops.  In  con- 
cluding this  report,  I  have  to  express  my  obligations  for  the  prompt 
and  cordial  support  which  1  received  at  all  times  from  the  major  gen- 
eral commanding  the  department. 

Very  respectful!}-. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  C.  BRECKINRIDGE, 

Major   Genera!. 

I  omitted  to  mention  that  the  fifteenth  Mississippi,  Major  Binford, 
was  not  brought  into  action.  This  admirable  regiment,  much  reduced 
by  long  and  gallant  services,  was  held  as  a  reserve. 

JOHN  C.  BRECKINRIDGE. 


I^EJFO  RTS 


OF 


BATTLES  OF  CORINTH  Al  IIATCIIIE  BRIDGE. 


REPORT'  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  EARL  VAN  DORN. 


Headquarters  Army  of  West  Tennessee,      ) 
Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  Oct.  20th,  1862.  S 

General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the 
battle  of  Corinth : 

Having  established  batteries  at  Port  Hudson,  secured  the  mouth  of 
Red  river  and  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river  to  Vicksburg,  I 
turned  my  especial  attention  to  afTairs  in  the  northern  portion  of  my 
district. 

On  the  30th  day  of  August  I  received  a  dispatch  from  General  Bragg, 
informing  me  that  he  was  about  to  march  into  Kentucky  and  would 
leave  to  General  Price  and  myself  the  enemy  in  West  Tennessee.  On 
the  4th  day  of  September  I  received  a  communication  from  General 
Price,  in  which  was  enclosed  a  copy  of  the  dispatch  from  General 
Bragg  above  named,  making  an  offer  to  co-operate  with  me.  At  this 
time  General  Breckinridge  was  operating  on  the  Mississippi  river,  be- 
tween Baton  Rouge  and  Port  Hudson,  with  all  the  available  force  I 
had  for  the  field ;  therefore  I  could  not  accept  General  Price's  propo- 
sition. Upon  the  return,  however,  of  General  Breckinridge,  I  imme- 
diately addressed  General  Price,  giving  my  views  in  full  in  regard  to 
the  campaign  in  West  Tennessee,  and  stating  that  I  was  then  ready  to 
join  him  with  all  my  troops.  In  the  meantime,  orders  were  received  by 
him,  from  General  Bragg,  to  follow  Rosencrans  across  the  Tennessee 
river  into  Middle  Tennessee,  whither  it  was  then  supposed  he  had 
.gone.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence  I  felt  at  once  that  all  my 
hopes  of  ac<:omplishing  anything  in  West  Tennessee,  with  my  small 
force,  were  marred.  I  nevertheless  moved  up  to  Davis'  Mill,  a  few 
3 


18 

miles  from  Grand  Junction,  Tenn.,  with  the  intention  of  defending 
my  district  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  and  to  make  a  demonstrition  in 
favor  of  General  Price,  to  which  latter  end,  also,  I  marched  my  whole 
command  on  the  2(Hh  day  of  September  to  within  seven  miles  of  Bol- 
ivar, driving  three  brigades  of  the  enemy  back  to  that  place,  and  forc- 
ing the  return  from  Corinth  of  one  division  (Ross's,)  which  had  been 
Bent  there  to  strengthen  Grant's  army. 

General  Price,  in  obedience  to  his  orders,  marched  in  the  direction 
of  luka,  to  cross  the  Tennessee,  but  was  not  long  in  discovering 
that  llosencrans  had  not  crossed  that  stream.  This  officer,  in  connec- 
tion ■;\ith  Grant,  attacked  him  on  the  19th  day  of  September,  and 
compelled  him  to  fall  back  towards  Paldwin,  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
railroad.  On  the  25th  day  of  the  same  month  I  received  a  dispatch,  by 
courier,  from  General  Price,  stating  that  he  was  at  Baldwin,  and  was 
then  ready  to  join  me  with  his  forces  in  an  attack  on  Corinth,  as  had 
been  previousl}'  suggested  bj'  me.  We  met  at  Ripley,  on  the  2Sth  of 
Sept.,  according  to  agreement  and  marched  the  next  morning  towards 
Pocahontas,  which  place  we  reached  on  the  1st  of  Oct.  From  all  the  in- 
formation 1  could  obtain  the  foIlowiLg  was  the  "situation"  of  the  Fede- 
ral arD:!y  at  that  time:  Sherman  at  Memphis  with  about  six  thousand 
men  ;  Hurlbert,  afterwards  Ord,  at  Bolivar,  with  about  eight  thousand  ; 
Grant  (Ileadquarter.'s  at  Jackson,)  with  about  three  thousand  ;  Rosen- 
crans  at  Corinth  with  about  fifteen  thousand,  together  with  the  follow- 
ing outposts,  viz:  Rien^ii,  twenty-five  hundred;  Buruville,  Jacinto 
and  luka,  about  six  thousand.  At  important  bridges,  and  on  gar- 
rison duty,  about  two  or  three  thousand,  making  in  the  aggregate 
about  forty-two  thousand  (42,0(H1)  men  in  West  Tennessee.  Mem- 
phis, Jackson,  Bolivar  and  Corinth  were  fortified,  the  works  mounting 
bcige  guns,  the  outposts  slightly  fortified,  having  field  pieces.  Mem- 
phis, Bolivar  and  Corinth  arc  in  the  arc  of  a  circle,  the  chord  of 
which,  from  Memphis  to  Corinth,  makes  an  angle  with  due  east  line 
about  fifteen  degrees  south.  Bolivar  is  about  equi-distant  from  Mem- 
phis and  Corinth,  somewhat  nearer  the  latter,  and  is  at  the  intersec- 
tion of  the  Ilatchie  river  and  the  Mississippi  Central  and  Ohio  rail- 
road. Corinth  is  the  strongest,  but  the  most  salient  point.  Surveying 
the  whole  field  of  operations  before  me,  calmly  anddispasionately,  the 
conclusion  forced  itself  irresistibly  upon  my  mind  that  the  taking  of 
Corinth  was  a  condition  prccedental  to  the  accomplishment  of  anything 
in  West  Ter^ncssee.  To  take  jMcmphis  would  be  to  destroy  an  im- 
mense amount  of  propert}',  without  any  ado(|uate  military  advantage, 
even  admittirg  that  it  could  be  held,  without  heavy  guns,  against  the 
enemy's  guns  and  mortar  boats.  The  line  of  fortifications  around 
Bolivar  is  intersected  by  the  Hatch ie  river,  rendering  it  impossible  to 
take  the  place  by  quick  assault,  and  reinforcements  could  be  thrown 
in  from  Jackson  by  railroad,  and,  situated  as  it  is,  in  the  angle  of  the 
three  lortified  places,  an  advance  upon  it  would  expose  both  my 
flanks  and   rear  to  an  attack  from  the  forces  at  Memphis  and  Corinth. 

It  was  clear,  to  my  mind,  that  if  a  successful  attack  could  be  made 
upon  Corinth  irom  the  west  and  nor'hwest,  (heforccs  there  driven  back 
on  the  Tennessee  and  cut  off,  Bolivar  and  Jackson  would  easily  fall, 


19 

and  then  ufon  the  arrival  of  the  exchanged  prisoners  of  war,  West 
Tennessee  would  soon  be  in  our  possesr-ion,  and  communica  ion  with 
General  Bragg  effected  through  Middle  Tennessee.  The  attack  oa 
Corinth  was  a  military  necessit}',  requiring  prompt  and  vigorous  ac- 
tion. It  was  being  strengthened  daily  under  that  astute  soldier,  Gen- 
eral Rosencrans ;  convalesccnt-i  were  returning  to  fill  his  ranks  ;  new 
levies  wore  arriving  to  increase  his  brigades,  and  fortifications  were 
being  constructed  at  new  points,  and  it  was  very  evident  that  unless  a 
sudden  and  vigorous  blow  could  bcjstruck  there,  at  once,  no  hope  could 
be  enteitained  of  driving  the  enemy  from  a  base  of  operations  so  con- 
venient ;  that  in  the  (.vent  ol  misfortune  to  Bragg,  in  Kentucky,  the 
whole  valley  of  the  Mississippi  would  be  lost  t3  us  before  winter.  To 
have  wa  ted  for  the  arrival,  arming,  clo'hing  and  organization  of  the 
exchanged  prisoners  would  have  been  to  wait  for  the  enemy  to  trength- 
en  themselves  more  than  we  could  possibly  do.  With  these  reflections,, 
and  after  mature  deliberation,  I  determined  to  attempt  Corinth.  I 
had  a  reasonable  hope  of  success.  Field  returns  at  Ripley  showed 
my  strength  to  be  about  twenty-two  thousand  men.  Rosencranz  at 
Corinth  had  about  fifteen  thousai.d,  with  about  eight  thousand  addi- 
tional men  at  outposts,  from  twelve  to  fifteen  miles  distant.  I  might 
surprise  him,  and  carry  the  place  before  those  troops  could  be  brought 
in.  I  therefore  marched  towards  Pocal.ontas,  threatening  Bolivar, 
then  turned  suddenly  across  the  Ilatchie  and  Tuscumbia  and  attacked 
Coiinth  without  hesitation,  and  did  surprise  that  place  before  the  out- 
post garrisons  were  called  in.  It  was  necessary  that  this  blow  should 
be  sudden  and  decisive,  and  if  unsuccessful,  that  I  should  withdraw 
rapidly  from  the  position  between  the  two  armies  of  Ord  and  Rosen- 
crans. The  troops  were  in  fine  spirits,  and  the  whole  army  of  West 
Tennessee  seemed  eager  to  emulate  the  aynies  of  the  Potomac  and  of 
Kentucky.  No  army  ever  marched  to  battl .'  wit  prouder  steps,  more 
hopeful  countenances,  or  with  mor  courage,  than  marched  the  army 
of  Tnnessee  out  of  Ripley,  on  the  morning  of  the  29th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, on  its  way  to  Corinth.  Fully  alive  to  the  responsibility  of 
my  position  as  commander  of  the  army,  and  after  mature  and  deliber- 
ate reflection,  th:^  march  was  ordered.  The  ground  was  well  known- 
tome,  and  required  no  stiuly  to  determine  where  to  make  the  attack.. 
The  bridge  over  the  Hatchie  was  soon  reconstructed,  and  the  army 
cro.Lsed  at  four  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  2d  of  October.  Adams'  bri- 
gade of  cavalry  was  left  to  guard  this  approach  to  our  rear,  and  to 
protect  the  train  which  wis  parked  between  the  Hatchie  and  Tuscum- 
bia. Col.  Hawkins'  regiment  of  infantry  and  Capt.  Dawson's  battery 
of  artillery  were  also  left  in  the  Bone  Yard  road,  in  easy  supporting: 
distance  of  the  bridge.  The  army  bivouacked  at  Chewalla,  after  the- 
driving  in  of  some  pickets  from  that  vicinity  by  Armstrong's  and  Jaok- 
gon's  cavalry.     Tins  point  is  about  ten  miles  from  Corinth. 

At  day-break,  on  the  3d,  the  march  was  resui::.ed,  the  precautions 
having  been  taken  to  cut  the  railroad  between  Corinth  and  Jackson, 
with  a  squadron  of  Armstrong's  cavalry.  Lovell's  division  in  front 
kept  the  road  on  the  south  side  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  rail~ 
road.     Price,  after  marching  on  the  same  road  about  five  miles,  turn- 


«0 

ed  to  the  left,  crossing  the  railroad,  and  formed  line  of  battle  in  front 
of  the  outer  line  of  entrenchments,  and  about  three  miles  from  Cor- 
inth, Lovell  formed  line  of  battle,  after  some  heavy  skirmishing, 
(having  to  construct  a  passage  across  the  dry  bed  of  Indian  creek  for 
his  artillery,  under  fire,)  on  the  right  and  in  front  of  the  same  line  of 
entrenchments. 

The  following  was  the  first  order  of  battle.  The  three  brigades,  of 
Lovell's  division,  Villepigue's,  Bowen's  and  Rust's  in  line,  with  re- 
serve in  rear  of  each  ;  Jackson's  cavalry  brigade  on  the  right  in 
echelon.  The  left  flank  of  the  tfivision  on  the  Charleston  railroad. 
Price's  corps  on  the  left,  with  the  right  ilauk  resting  on  the  same  road. 
Maury's  division  on  the  right  with  Moore's  and  Phifer's  brigade  in  line— 
Cabell's  in  reserve.  Ilebert's  division  on  the  left  with  Gates'  and 
Martin's  brigade  in  line — Colbert's  in  reserve.  Armstrong's  cavalry 
brigade  on  the  extreme  left,  somewhat  detatched  and  out  of  view. 
Ilebert's  left  was  masked  behind  a  timbered  bridge,  with  orders 
not  to  bring  it  into  action  until  the  last  moment.  This  was  done  in 
hopes  of  inducing  tbe  enemy  to  weaken  his  right  by  reinforcing  his 
centre  and  left,  where  the  attack  was  first  to  be  made,  that  his  right 
.might  be  forced. 

At  ten  o'clock,  all  skirmishers  were  driven  into  the  entrenchments, 
and  the  two  armies  were  in  line  of  battle,  confronting  each  other  in 
force.  A  belt  of  fallen  timber,  or  abatis,  about  four  hundred  yards  in 
Tvidth  extended  along  the  whole  line  of  entrenchments.  This  was  to 
be  crossed.  The  attack  commenced  on  the  right  by  Lovell's  division, 
and  extended  gradually  to  the  left,  and  by  half-past  10  o'clock  the  whole 
line  of  outer  works  was  carried,  several  pieces  of  artillery  I  eing  taken. 
The  enemy  made  several  ineffectual  efforts  to  hold  their  ground,  form- 
ing line  of  battle  at  advantc^geous  points,  and  resisting  obstinately  our 
advance  to  the  second  line  of  detached  works.  I  had  been  in  hopes 
that  one  day's  operations  would  end  the  contest  and  decide  who  should 
be  the  vi-ctors  on  this  bloody  field;  but  a  ten  miles'  march  over  a  parched 
country,  on  dusty  roads,  without  water,  getting  into  line  of  battle 
in  forests  with  undergrowth,  and  the  more  than  usual  activity  and  de- 
termined courage  displayed  by  the  enemy,  commanded  by  one  of  the 
ablest  Generals  of  the  United  States  army,  who  threw  all  possible  ob- 
stacles in  our  way  that  an  active  mind  could  suggest,  prolonged  the 
battle  until  I  saw  with  regret  the  sun  sink  behind  the  horizon  as  the 
last  shot  of  our  sharpshooters  followed  the  retreating  foe  into  their 
innermost  lines.  One  hour  more  of  daylight,  and  victory  would  have 
soothed  our  grief  for  the  loss  of  the  galhuit  dead  who  sleep  on  that 
lost  but  not  diihonored  field.  The  army  slept  on  their  arms  within 
six  hundred  yards  of  Corinth,  victorious  so  far. 

During  the  night  three  batteries  were  ordered  to  take  position  on 
the  ridge  overlooking  the  town  from  the  west,  just  where  the  hills  dip 
into  the  flat  extending  into  the  railroad  depot,  with  instructions  to 
■open  on  the  town  at  four  o'clock,  A.  M.  llebert  on  the  left  was  or- 
dered to  mass  part  of  his  division  on  his  left ;  to  put  Cabell's  brigade 
in  echelon  on  the  left  also,  (Cabell's  brigade  being  detached  from 
Maury's  division  for   this   purpose;)  to  move  Armstrongs'  cavalry 


21 

brigade  across  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad,  and,  if  possible,  to  get 
some  of  his  artillery  in  position  across  the  road.  In  this  order  of  battle 
he  was  directed  to  attack  at  daybreak  with  his  whole  force,  swinging 
his  left  flank  in  towards  Corinth,  and  advance  down  the  Purdy  ridge. 
Lovell  on  the  extreme  right,  with  two  of  his  brigades  in  line  of  battle 
and  one  in  reserve  with  Jackson's  cavalry  on  the  extreme  right  on 
College  Hill,  his  left  flank  resting  on  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  rail- 
road, was  ordered  to  await  in  this  order,  or  to  feel  his  way  along  slowly 
with  his  sharp-shooters  until  Hebert  was  heavily  engaged  with  the  en- 
8my  on  the  left.  He  was  then  to  move  rapidly  to  the'  assault,  and 
force  his  right  inwards  across  the  low  grounds  south-west  of  town. 
The  centre,  utder  Maury,  was  to  move  at  the  same  time  quickly  to 
the  front,  and  directly  at  Corinth.  Jackson  v»was  directed  to  bugi  the 
railroad  bridge  over  the  the  Tuscumbia  during  the  night.  Daylight 
came,  and  there  was  no  attack  on  the  left.  A  stafl"  oflficer  was  sent  to 
Hebert  to  enquire  the  cause.     That  ofiicer  could  not  be  found. 

Another  messenger  was  sent,  and  a  third;  and  about  seven  o'clock 
General  Hebert  came  to  my  headquarters  and  reported  sick.  General 
Price  then  put  Brigadier  General  Green  in  command  of  the  left  wing  ; 
and  it  was  eight  o'clock  before  the  proper  dispositions  for  the  attack 
at  this  point  were  made.  In  the  mean  time,  the  troops  of  Maury's 
left  became  engaged  with  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters,  and  the  battle 
was  brought  on,  and  extended  along  the  whole  centre  and  left  wing, 
and  I  regretted  to  observe  that  my  whole  plan  of  attack  was,  by  this 
unfortunate  delay,  disarranged.  One'  brigade  after  another  went  gal- 
lantly into  the  action,  and  pushing  forward  through  direct  and  cross- 
fire, over  every  obstacle,  reached  Corinth,  and  planted  their  colors  on 
the  last  stronghold  of  the  enemy.  A  hand  to  hand  oontest  Avas  being 
enacted  in  the  very  yard  of  General  Rosencrans'  headquarts,  and  in  the 
streets  of  the  town.  The  heavy  guns  were  silenced,  and  all  seemed 
about  to  be  ended  when  a  heavy  fire  from  fresh  troops  from  luka, 
Burnsville  and  Ricnze,  that  had  succeeded  in  reaching  Corinth  in 
time,  poured  into  our  thinned  ranks.  Exhausted  from  loss  of  sleep, 
wearied  from  hard  marching  and  fighting,  companies  in  regiments 
without  officers,  our  troops,  (let  no  one  censure  them,)  gave  way. 
The  day  was  lost !  Lovell's  division  was  at  this  time  advancing  pur- 
suant to  orders,  and  was  on  the  point  of  assaulting  the  works  when  he 
received  my  orders  to  throw  one  of  his  brigades  (Villepigue's,)  rapidly 
to  the  centre  to  cover  the  broken  ranks  thrown  back  from  Corinth,  and 
to  prevent  a  sortie.  He  then  moved  his  whole  division  to  the  left  and 
was  soon  afterwards  ordered  to  move  slowly  bapk,  and  take  position 
on  Indian  Creek,  and  prevent  the  enemy  from  turning  our  flank.  The 
centre  and  left  were  withdrawn  on  the  same  road  on  which  they  ap- 
proached, and  being  somewhat  in  confusion  on  account  of  loss  of  offi- 
cers, fatigue,  thirst,  want  of  sleep,  thinned  ranks,  and  the  nature  of 
the  ground,  Villipigue's  brigade  was  brought  in  opportunely  and 
covered  the  road  to  Chewalla.  Lovell  came  in  the  rear  of  the  whole 
army,  and  all  bivoucked  again  at  Chewalla.-  No  enemy  disturbed  the 
sleep  of  the  weary  troops.  During  the  night  I  had  a  bridge  con- 
structed over  the  Tuscumbia,  and  sent  Armstrong's  and  Jackson's 


*  22 

cavalry,  with  a  battery  of  artillery,  to  egize  and  hold  Rienzi  until  the 
army  came  up,  intending  to  march  to  and  hold  that  point,  but  after 
consultation  with  General  rrice.  who  represented  his  troops  to  be  some 
■what  disorfjanized,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  return  by  the  same 
road  we  came,  and  fall  back  towards  Riply  and  Oxford.  Anticipating 
that  the  Bolivar  force  would  move  out,  and  dispute  my  passage  across 
the  Hatchie  Bridge,  I  puslied  rapidly  on  to  that  point,  in  hopes  of 
reaching  and  securing  the  bridge  before  their  arrival;  but  I  soon 
learned,  by  couriers  from  Colonel  Wirt  Adams,  that  I  would  be  too 
late.  I  nevertheless  pushed  on  wiili  the  intention  of  engaging  th# 
enemy  until  I  could  get  my  train  and  reserve  artillery  unparkeil  and 
on  the  Bone  Yard  road  to  the  crossing  at  Crumb's  mills,  (this  road 
branches  off  South  from  |^e  State  line  road  about  two  and  a  half  miles 
West  of  the  Tuscumbii  bridge,  running  South  or  up  the  ITitchie  )  No 
contest  of  long  duration  could  be  made  here,  as  it  was  evident  that  the 
army  of  Corinth  would  soon  make  its  appearance  on  our  right  flank  and 
rear.  The  trains  and  reserve  artillery  were  therefore  immediately  ordered 
on  the  Bone  Yard  road,  and  orders  were  sent  to  Armstrong  and  Jack- 
son to  change  their  direction,  and  cover  the  front  and  flank  of  the 
trains  until  they  crossed  the  Ilatchie,  and  then  to  cover  them 
in  front  until  they  were  on  th'e  Ripley  road.  The  enemy  were  then 
engaged  beyond  the  Hatchie  bridge  by  small  fragments  of  Maury's  di- 
vision as  they  could  be  hastened  up  and  were  kept  in  check  sufficient- 
ly long  to  get  evei-ything  off.  General  Ord  commanded  the  forces  of 
the  enemy,  and  succeeded  in  getting  into  position  before  any  number 
of  our  travel- worn  troops  could  get  into  line  of  battle.  It  is  not  sur- 
prising, therefore,  that  they  Avere  driven  back  across  the  bridge,  but 
they  maintained  iheir  position  on  the  hills  overlooking  it,  under  their 
gallant  leader  General  Price,  until  orders  were  sent  to  fall  back  and 
take  up  their  line  of  march  on  the  Bone  Yard  road  in  rear  of  the 
whole  train.  At  one  time,  fearing  that  the  enemy,  superior  in  num- 
bers to  the  whole  force  I  had  in  advance  of  the  train,  would  drive  us 
back.  1  onlered  General  JjOvelTto  leave  one  brigade  to  guard  the  reserve 
to  Tuscumbia  bridge  and  to  push  forward  with  the  other  two  to  the 
front.  This  order  was  rjuickly  executed  and  very  soon  the  splendid 
brigades  of  Rust  and  Villopigue  made  their  appearance  close  at  hand. 
The  army  corps  of  (General  Price  was  withdrawn,  and  Villepigue 
filed  in  and  took  position  as  rear  guard  to  the  army  against  Ord's 
forces.  Rust  was  ordered  forward  to  report  to  General  Pj'ice,  who 
was  directed  to  cross  the  Ilatchie  at  Crumb's  mills,  and  take  position 
to  cover  the  crossing  pf  the  teams  and  artillery.  Bowen  Avas  left  at 
Tuscumbia  bjidge  as  rear  guard  against  the  advance  of  Rosencrans 
from  Corinth,  with  orders  to  defend  that  bridge  until  the  trains  were 
unparked  and  on  the  road.  Then  to  cross  the  bridge  and  burn  it,  and 
to  join  Villepigue  at  the  junction  of  the  roads.  In  the  execution  of 
this  order,  and  whilst  in  position  near  the  bridge,  the  head  of  the 
Corinth  army  made  its  appearance  and  engaged  him,  but  was  repulsed 
with  heavy  loss,  and  in  a  manner  that  reflected  great  credit  on  General 
Bowen  and  his  brigade.  The  army  was  not  again  molested  on  its 
retreat  to  Riply,  nor  on  its  march  to  this  place.     The  following  was 


23' 

found  to  be  our  loss  in  tlie  severest  conflicts  with  tlie  enemy,  and  on 
the  march  to  and  from  Corittt'h,  viz  :  Killed  534;  wounded  2,1  G2  ; 
prisoners  and  missing  2,102.  One  piece  of  artillery  was  driven  in 
the  night  by  a  mistake  into  the  enemy's  lines  and  captured.  Four 
pieces  were  taken  at  the  Hatchie  bridge,  the  horses  being  shot.  Nine 
wagons  were  upset  and  abandoned  by  teamsters  on  the  night's  march 
to  Crumb's  mills.  Some  baggage  was  thrown  out  of  the  wagons,  not 
amounting  to  any  serious  loss. 

Two  pieces  of  artillery  were  captured  from  the  enemy  at  Corinth 
by  General  Lovell's  division.  One  of  which  Avas  brought  oif.  Five 
pieces  were  also  taken  by  General  Price's  corps^  two  of  Avhich  were 
brought  off.  Thus  making  a  loss  to  us  of  only  two  pieces.  The 
enemy's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  by  their  own  accounts,  was  over 
three  thousand.  We  took  over  three  hundred  prisoners.  Most  of 
the  prisoners  taken  from  us  were  the  stragglers  from  the  army  on  the 
retreat. 

The  retreat  from  Corinth  was  not  a  rout,  as  it  has  been  industriously 
represented  by  the  enemy,  and  by  the  cowardly  deserters  from  the 
army.  The  division  of  General  Lovell  formed  line-of-battle,  facing 
the  rear,  on  several  occasions,  when  it  was  reported  the  enemy  was 
near :  but  not  a  gun  was  fired  after  the  army  retired  from  the  Hatchie 
and  Tuscumbia  bridges.  Nor  did  the  enemy  follow,  except  at  a  res- 
pectful distance.  Although  many  officers  and  soldiers  who  distin- 
guished themselves  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  and  in  the  affair  of  Hatchie 
bridge,  came  under  my  personal  observations,  I  Avill  not  mention  them 
.  to  the  exclusion  of  others,  who  may  have  been  equally  deserving,  but  who 
did  not  fall  under  my  own  eye.  I  have  deemed  it  best  to  call  on  the  differ- 
ent commanders  to  furnish  me  a  special  report,  and  a  list  of  the  names 
of  the  oliicers  and  soldiers  of  their  respective  commands  who  deserve 
special  mention.  These  lists  and  special  reports,  I  will  ta^ie  pleasure 
in  forv^arding,  together  with  one  of  my  own,  when  completed  ;  and  1 
respectfully  request  that  they  may  be  appended  as  part  of  my  report. 
I  cannot  refrain,  however,  from  mentioning  here  the  conspicuous  gal- 
lantry of  a  noble  Texian,  whose  deads  at  Corinth  are  the  constant 
theme  of  both  friends  and  foes.  As  long  as  courage,  manliness,  for- 
titude, patriotism  and  honor  exist,  the  name  of  Rogers  will  be  revered 
and  honored  among  men.  He  fell  in  the  front  of  the  battle  and  died 
beneath  the  colors  of  his  regiment,  in  the  very  centre  of  the  enemy's 
stronghold.     He  sleeps,  and  glory  is  his  sentence. 

The  attempt  at  Corinth  has  failed,  and  in  conse-quence  I  am  con- 
demned, and  have  been  superceded  in  my  command.  In  my  zeal  for 
my  country,  I  may  have  ventured  too  far  with  inadequate  means, 
and  I  bow  to  the  opinion  of  the  people  whom  I  serve.  Yet  I 
feel  if  the  spirits  of  the  gallant  dead  who  now  lie  beneath  the  batteries 
of  Corinth,  see  and  judge  the  motives  of  men,  they  do  not  rebuke  me, 
for  there  is  no  sting  in  my  conscience.  Nor  does  retrospection 
admonish  me  of  error  or  of  a  disregard  of  thoir  valued  lives. 
Very  respectfully,  sir,  1  am. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

EARL  VAN  DORN, 

Major  General. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  PRICE  OF  THE  BATTLES 
OF  CORINTH  AND  DAVIS'  BRIDGE. 


Headquarters  Aemt  of  the  West,  ) 
Holly  SpringB,  Oct.  2l)th,  1862.      \ 

Major  :  I  have  tlic  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  this  army,  connected  with  the  several  engagements  at 
Corinth  and  Davis'  Bridge,  of  the  3d,  -Ith  and  5th  instants.  Having 
arranged  with  Maj.  Gen.  Van  Dorn  to  unite  my  forces  with  his  for 
active  operations,  I  joined  him  at  Ripley  on  the  27th  ultimo.  My 
force  at  this  time  consisted  of  effective  infantry,  10,498;  eftective 
cavalry,  2,437;  effective  artillery,  928  men  and  forty-four  guns,  in- 
cluding two  24-pounder  howitzers  and  four  rifled  pieces  of  three  and 
five-eighths  calibre.  The  infantry  was  divided  into  two  divisions, 
commanded  by  Brigadier  Generals  Maury  and  Hebert.  Maury's  divi- 
sion consisted  of  three  brigades,  commanded  by  Brigadier  General 
Moore  and  Acting  Brigadier  Generals  Cabell  and  Phifer.  Ilebert's 
division  consisted  of  four  brigades,  commanded  by  Brigadier  General 
Green  and  Cols.   Martin,  Gates  and   Colbert.     The  cavalry,   except 

^  such  comjfanies  as  were  on  detached  service,  was  under  command  of 
Acting    Brig.    Gen.   Armstrong.     The  artillery    was  apportioned  as 

'  follows,  with  Maury's  division  :  Iloxton's  battery,  Lieut.  Tobin  com- 
manding ;  Bledsoe's  battery ;  McNally's  battery,  Lieut.  Moore  com- 
manding ;  Lucas'  battery,  and  Sengstack's  battery.  Iloxton's  and 
Brown's  battery;  Sengstack's  batteries  were  held  as  reserves,  under 
command  of  Jjieut.  Burnett,  acting  Chief  of  Artillery  of  the  division. 
With  Hebert's  division  were  Wade's,  Landis',  Guibo's,  Dawson's  and 
King's.  The  cavalry  force,  under  Gen.  .Armstrong,  reported  to  the 
Major  General  commanding  the  combined  forces  and  afterwards  acted 
under  orders  direct  from  him. 

On  tlie  morning  of  the  30th  ultimo  we  took  up  the  lino  of  march 
in  the  direction  of  I*ocahontas,  which  place  wc  reached  on  the  1st  in- 
stant, and  from  Avhich,  we  moved  upon  the  enemy  at  Corinth,  bivou- 
acking on  the  night  of  the  2d  instant  at  a  point  'liearly  opposite  to 
Chewalla — having  loft  one  regiment  of  infantry  and  a  section  of  artil- 
lery with  the  wagon  train  as  a  guard.  At  4  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  3d  instant  wo  resumed  the  march.  My  command  moving  on 
the  main  Pocahontas  and  Corinth  road,  in  rear  of  Gen.  Lovell's.  At 
a  point  about  a  mile  and  half  from  the  enemy's  outer  line  of  fortifica- 
tions, my  command  made  a  detour  to  the  left,  with  itstructions  to 


9.ri 


occupy  the  ground  between  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  and  Mobile 
and  Ohio  Railroads.  This  done,  my  line,  Maury  occupying  the  right 
and  Hebert  the  left,  with  Cabell's  and  Colbert's  brigades  in  reserve, 
ffonted  the  enemy's  works  in  a  south-easterly  direction,  the  right 
resting  upon  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad.  While  these  - 
dispositions  were  making,  Gen.  Lovell  engaged  the  enemy  upon  our 
right ;  all  being  now  ready  for  the  attack,  my  line  was  ordered  for- 
ward at  about  10  o'clock,  A.M.  Almost  simultaneously  Avith  the 
movement,  the  opposed  armies  became  engaged  in  desperate  conflic^t 
along  the  whole  extent  of  my  line.  My  command  had  scarcely  cleared 
the  position  of  its  first  formation,  when  entering  an  abatis  of  more 
than  three  hundred  yards  it  became  unmasked  before  a  position  natu- 
rally exceedingly  formidable,  and  rendered  trebly  so  by  the  extent  of 
fo-lled  timber,  through  which  it  must  be  appproachcd ;  and  the  most 
approved  and  scientifically  constructed  entrenchment,  bristling  with 
artillery  of  large  calibre,  and  supported  by  heavy  lines  of  infantry. 
My  troops-  charged  the  enemy's  position  with  the  most  determined 
courage,  exposed  to  a  murderous  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery. 
Without  faltering  they  pressed  forward  over  every  obstacle,  and  with 
shouts  and  cheprs  carried,  in  less  than  twenty  minutes,  the  entire  line 
of  works ;  the  enemy  having  fled,  leaving  in  our  hands  many  prison- 
ers, and  two  pieces  of  artillery ;  one  a  4-iuch  Parrott  gun,  the  other 
a  24-pounder  howitzer.  Our  loss  in  this  attack  was  comparatively 
small.  This  is  attributable  to  the  impetuosity  with  which  the  charge 
was  made,  and  the  works  carried.  It  becomes  my  painful  duty,  in 
this  connection,  to  revert  to  the  distinguished  services  of  two  gallant 
officers  who  fell  in  this  engagement.  Col.  John  D.  Martin,  command- 
ing a  brigade  of  Mississippians,  and  Lieut.  Samuel  Farrington,  of 
AVade's  battery.  Col.  Martin,  fell  mortally  wounded,  while  leading  the 
charge  against  an  angle  in  the  enemy's  works,  exposed  to  the  fire  of 
enfilading  battoiies.  The  gallant  bearing  of  this  officer  upon  more 
than  one  bloody  field,  had  won  for  him  a  plac^  in  the  heart  of  every 
Mississippian  and  the  admiration  and  confidence  of  his  superior  offi- 
cers. Lieut.  Farrington  was  struck  and  instantly  killed  by  a  shot 
from  a  rifled  gun,  while  bringing  one  of  the  guns  of  his  battery  into 
position.  This  gallant  soldier  and  courteous  and  chivalric  gentleman, 
forgetful  of  personal  interest  and  mindful  of  the  necessities  of  the 
service  only,  resigned  a  lieutenant  colonelcy  in  the  service  of  his 
State  for  a  lieutenancy  in  the  Confederate  service,  an  1  gave  up  his 
life  a  glorious  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  his  country's  honor,  in  the 
seventh  of  the  battles  in  which  he  has  been  conspicuous  for  cool,  de- 
termined and  effective  bravery.  Though  young,  his  country  mourns 
no  more  valiant  defender,  his  command  no  abler  comix  ander,  his 
friends  no  worthier  recipient  of  their  affection.  The  outer  works 
being  in  our  possession  my  line  moved  forward  in  pursuit  of  the  re- 
treating enemy  until  within  about  one  mile  of  Corinth,  where  the 
enemy  was  encountered  in  position  and  in  force.  The  necessary  dis- 
positions being  made,  my  whole  line  again  moved  forward  to  the 
attack  at  about  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  Here  the  fighting  was  of  unparal- 
leled fierceness  along  the  whole  extent  of  my  line.     The  position  of 


£6 

the  enemy  along  the  entire  lenjrth  of  his  lines  was  covered  by  fencing, 
heavy  timber  or  underbrush.  While  portions  of  my  troops  advanced 
through  open  fields  exposed  to  a  deadly  fire  of  batteries,  operating 
oyer  the  enemy's  line  of  infantry.  Here,  as  in  the  assault  upon  ttie 
outer  works,  we  had  little  artillery  in  action,  it  being  impossible  to 
procure  such  positions  for  my  batteries  as  would  enable  them  to  co- 
operate effectively  with  the  infantry.  After  continuous  and  most 
desperate  fighting  along  the  whole  extent  of  my  line,  of  nearly  two 
hours  duration,  the  enemy,  notwithstanding  his  lines  had  been  trebled 
by  reinforcements,  was  driven  from  liis  positions  and  forced  to  take 
refuge  in  his  innermo.-t  works  in  and  around  the  town. 

Tbe  troops  of  ray  command  having  nearly  exhausted  their  ammuni- 
tion in  the  heavy  fighting  through  the  day,  were  withheld  from  imnje- 
diate  pursuit,  and  the  delay  in  procuring  the  necessary  supply  of 
ammunition  forced  me  to  close  the  fight  for  the  day.  My  troops  were 
witbilrawn  for  cover,  and  laid  on  their  arms  during  the  night,  in  the 
position  from  which  the  enemy  had  been  driven.  About  four  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  three  batteries  of  my  command  were 
placed  in  position  and  opened  fire  upon  the  town,  under  the  immediate 
orders  of  the  major  general  commanding.  About  daylight,  orders 
were  received  to  advance  my  whole  line.  In  the  execution  of  this 
order  a  delay  was  occasioned  by  the  illness  of  Brigadier  General 
llebert,  commanding  a  division.  lie  Avas  necessarily  relieved  from 
duty.  The  command  devolved  upon  Brigadier  General  Green,  who 
moved  forward  as  soon  as  ho  could  make  the  necessary  disposition  of 
his  troop.s.  It  was  after  nine  o'clock  when  my  line  became  generally 
and  furiously  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  his  innermost  4ind  most  for- 
midable works,  from  which  his  infantry  and  artillery  could  jointly 
operate  against  my  troops.  Here,  as  in  the  previous  actions,  my  ar- 
tillery could  not  be  effectively  brought  into  action,  and  but  few  of  the 
guns  were  engaged.  The  fighting,  by  my  command,  was  almost  entirely 
confined  to  the  infantry.  My  men  pressed  forward  upon  the  enemy, 
and  with  heavy  loss  succeeded  in  getting  into  the  works,  having 
driven  him  from  them,  capturing  more  than  forty  pieces  of  artillery, 
and  forcing  him  to  take  refuge  in  the  houses  of  the  town,  and  in  every 
place  that  would  afford  protection  from  our  galling  fire.  He  was  fol- 
lowed and  driven  from  house  to  house  with  great  slaughter.  In  the 
town  were  batteries  in  mask,  supported  by  heavy  reserves,  behind 
which  the  retreating  enemy  took  shelter,  and  which  opened  upon  our 
troops  a  most  destructive  fire  at  short  range.  My  men  held  their 
positions  most  gallantly,  returning  the  fire  of  the  enemy  with  great 
spirit  until  portions  of  them  exhausted  their  ammunition-  and  were 
compelled  to  retire.  This  neces.sitated  tly)  withdrawal  of  the  whole 
line,  whiclf  was  done  under  a  withering  fire.  The  attack  was  not 
resumed,  and  we  fell  back  to  our  supply  train,  the  men  being  almost 
exhausted  from  exertion  and  want  of  food  and  water.  General  Ville- 
pigue's  brigade  moved  over  to  our  assistance,  but  did  not  become 
engaged  as  the  enemy  was  too  badly  cut  up  to  follow  us.  Wc  fell 
back  in  order  to  obtain  water,  some  six  miles  from  Gorinth,  where  we 
bivouacked  for  the  night,  bringing  off  all  of  our  artillery  and  arms, 


save  one  rifled  piece  Tvliich  bad  been  inadvertently  driven  into  the 
enemy's  line  while  going  into  battery  before  daylight  in  the  morning, 
and  had  been  left.  We  brought  off,  also,  the  two  guns  captured  at  the 
outer  line  of  fortifications  on  the  third.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  do 
justice  to  the  courage  of  my  troops  in  these  engagements,  nor  can  I 
discriminate  between  officers  and  commands  where  all  bebaved  so  nobly. 
This  is  the  less  necessary  as  the  operations  of  my  command  were 
under  the  immediate  observation  of  the  major  general  commanding. 
For  minute  details  of  the  actions,  and  particularly  of  the  artillery,  of 
the  third  and  fourth  instants,  as  well  as  for  instances  of  person  1  and 
distinguished  gallantry,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  tbe  major  general  com- 
manding to  the  reports  of  commanding  officers  herewith  enclosed.  On 
the  morning  of  the  fifth  instant  we  resumed  the  march  tn  the  direc- 
tion of  Pocahontas,  my  command  moving  by  division,  Maury's  in 
front,  each  in  rear  of  its  ordnance  and  supply  .train,  except  Moore's 
brigade  which  constituted  the  advance  guard.  After  crossing  the 
Tuscumbia,  Moore's  brigade  was  hurried  forward  to  protect  Davis' 
brjdgc  across  the  Ilatchie,  which  was  threatened  by  an  advance  of  the 
enemy.  It  being  found  that  the  enemy  was  in  force,  the  remainder 
of  Maury's  division  Avas  ordered  forv>ard,  and  finally  I  was  ordered  to 
move  up  the  whole  of  my  command.  Moore's  brigade,  with  a- section 
of  the  St  Louis  battery  and  Sengstack's  battery  were  thrown  across 
the  Ilatchie,  but  the  enemy  having  possession  of  the  heights  com- 
manding the  crossing,  as  well  as  the  position  in  which  these  troops 
were  placed,  and  it  being  found  that  he  was  in  very  heavy  force,  it 
was  deemed  advisable  to  cross  the  Ilatchie  by  another  road,  and  these 
troops  were  withdrawn  after  serious  loss  to  the  east  side  of  the  Ilatchie, 
where  being  joined  by  Cabell's  and  Phifer's  brigades,  and  assisted  by 
the  batteries  of  Mci^ ally,  Hogg,  Landis,  and  Tobin,  they  eff"ectually 
checked  the  advance  of  the  enemy.  Green's  divisions,  which  had  been 
delated  by  passing  the  wagon  train  that  had  unparked  near  the  Tus- 
cumbia, arriving  on  the  ground,  was  formed  in  line  of  battle,  but  the 
enemy  making  no  further  effort  to  advance,  the  whole  of  ray  command 
was  moved  off  by  another  route,  General  LovelTs  command  being  in 
our  rear. 

This  was  our  last  engagement  with  the  enemy.  In  this  last  engage- 
ment we  lost  four  guns,  occasioned  by  the  killing  of  horses.  Our 
whole  wagon  train  came  off  without  molestation  or  loss,  except  of  a 
few  wagons  that  were  broken  down  and  had  to  be  abandoned. 

The  history  of  the  war  contains  no  bloodier  page,  perhaps,  than  that 
which  will  record  this  fierce!^  contested  battle  The  strongest  expres- 
sions fall  short  of  my  admiration  of  the  gallant  conduct  of  the  officers 
and  men  under  my  command.  Words  cannot  add  lustre  to  the  fame 
they  have  ac(iuired  through  deeds  of  noble  daring,  which,  living  through 
future  time,  will  shed  about  every  man.  officer  and  soldier,  who  stood 
to  his  arms,  through  this  struggle,  a  halo  of  glory  as  imperishable  as 
it  is  brilliant. 

They  have  won  to  their  sisters  and  daughters  the  distinguished 
honor,  set  before  them  by  a  General  of  their  love  and  admiration 
upon  the  event  of  an  impending  battle  upon  the  same  fields  of  the 


28 

proud  exclamation,  **  my  brother,  father,  was  at  the  great  battle  of 
Corinth."  The  bloodiest  record  of  this  battle  is  to  come.  The  long 
list  of  the  gallant  dead  upon  this  field  will  carry  sorrow 'to  the  hearth- 
stone of  many  a  noble  champion  of  our  cause,  as  it  does  to  the  hearts 
of  those  who  are  to  avenge  them.  A  nation  mourns  their  loss,  while 
it  cherishes  the  story  of  their  glorious  death,  pointing  out  to  their 
associate  officers  in  this  mighty  struggle  for  liberty  the  pathAvay  to 
victory  and  honor.  They  will  live  ever  in  the  hearts  of  the  admiring 
people  of  the  government,  for  the  establishment  of  wliich  they  have 
given  their  lives.  Of  the  field  officers  killed,  were  Colonel  Rogers, 
2d  Texas  Infantry,  who  fell  in  the  heart  of  town,  of  eleven  wounds. 
Johnson,  of  2l)th  Arkansas,  and  Daly,  of  the  18th  Arkansas.  Lieuten- 
ant ColonelaJNIaupin,  1st  Missouri  Cavalry,  dismounted,  and  Leigh,  43d 
Mis.sissippi ;  .Majors  Vaughan,  Gth  Missouri  Infantry,  Doudell,  21st 
Arkansas,  and  McDonald,  4nth  Mississippi.  Many  of  ray  ablest  and 
most  gallant  field  officers  are  wounded,  several  mortally.  Of  this 
number  arc  Colenels  Erwin,  Gth  Missouri  Infantry ;  Macfarland,  4th 
Missouri  Infantry;  Tritchard,  3d  Missouri  Infantry;  Moore,  43d 
Mississippi,  and  McLean,  37th  Mississippi;  Lieutenant  Colonels 
Pixler,  16th  Arkansas;  Iledgespeth,  6th  Missouri  Infantry;  Serrell, 
7th  Mississippi  Battalion;  Lanier,  42d  Alabama;  Ilobson,  3d  Arkan- 
sas Cavalry;  Matthews,  21st  Arkansas;  Campbell,  40th  Mississippi, 
and  Boone  ;  and  Majors  Senteney,  2d  Missouri  Infantry  ;  Keirn,  38th 
Mississippi;  Staton,  37th  Alabama;  Timmins,  2d  Texas;  Jones,  21st 
Arkansas;  Russell,  3d  Louisiana,  and  Yates;  and  McQuiddy,  3d 
Missouri  Cavalry.  For  other  casualties  in  officers  and  men,  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  to  lists  enclosed.  I  cannot  close  this  report  without 
recognizing  the  eminent  services  and  valuable  a^istance  of  Brigadier 
Generals  Maury,  Ilebcrt,  (whose  services  I  regret  to  have  lost  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th  by  reason  of  his  illness,)  and  Green,  commanding 
divisions.  I  bear  willing  testimony  to  the  admirable  coolness^  un- 
daunted courage  and  military  skill  of  these  officers  in  disposing  their 
respective  commands,  and  in  executing  their  orders.  Through  them 
I  transmit  to  Brigadier  General  Moore,  and  acting  Brigadier  Generals 
Cabell,  Phifcr,  Gates  and  Colbert  my  high  appreciation  of  their  effi- 
cient services  on  the  field. 

Their  skill  in  manuevering  their  troops,  and  promptness  and  gal- 
lantry in  leading  them  through  the  most  desperate  conflicts  elicit  my 
highest  admiration.  And  of  my  troops  as  a  body,  I  can  say  no  juster 
or  more  complimentary  words  than  that  they  have  sustained  and 
deepened  and  widened  their  reputation*  for  exalted  patriotism  and 
determined  valor. 

To  my  personal  staff  I  return  my  thanks  for  their  promptness  in 
the  delivery  of  my  orders,  and  their  gallant  bearing  on  the  field. 
All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

STERLING  PRICE, 

Major  General. 
Major  M.  M.  Kinnall, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Army  of  AVest  Tennessee. 


MAJ.  GEN.  M.  LOVELL'S  REPORT  OF  THE  OPERATIONS  OF 
HIS  DIVISION  AT  CORINTH. 


Headquarters,  1st  Division  Army  of  DisT.  of  Mississippi,  ) 
Holly  Springs,  October  13th,  1862.      j 

Major  M.    M.    Kimmel, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
part  taken  by  my  division  in  the  recent  operations  around  Corinth. 
On  the  2d  inst.  the  division  repaired  and  crossed  the  Tuscumbia  bridge, 
fifteen  miles  from  Corinth,  and  moved  forward,  the  cavalry  under 
Armstrong  and  Jackson  in  advance.  We  moved  to  Chewalla,  skirm- 
ishing lightly  with,  the  enemy  several  hours,  and  occupied  the  camp 
just  abandoned,  capturing  some  tents,  quartermaster's  and  commissa- 
ry's stores.  On  the  3d  we  moved  forward,  Villepigue's  brigade  in 
advance,  skirmishing  more  heavily  with  a  force  of  the  enemy  coiilposed 
of  two  regiments  of  infantry,  a  section  of  artillery  and  some  cav- 
alry, until  we  drove  them  across  Indian  creek.  At  this  point  artillery 
fire  became  more  frequent.  Here  we  took  an  abandoned  l2-pounder 
howitzer.  The  bridge  was  repaired,  under  fire,  and  I  crossed  the 
whole  division,  consisting  of  Rust's  brigade  on  the  right,  Bowen's  in 
the  centre  and  Villepigue's  on  the  left,  fhe  enemy  occupied  with  his 
artillery  a  high  hill  at  the  crossing  of  the  State  line  road  with  the 
Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad,  Avith  rifle  pits  extending  north  and 
south,  afi"ording  with  the  hill,  a  strong  position  for  about  3,500  men. 
The  skirmishers  were  there  reinforced,  and  the  whole  line  ordered  to 
the  assault,  with  reserve  behind  each  brigade.  The  conflict  was  short 
and  bloody.  Our  troops,  emerging  from  the  dense  undergrowth,  rushed 
upon  the  hill  and  rifle  pits  with  the  most  determined  gallantry, 
routed  and  drove  off  the  enemy,  causing  them  in  their  hasty  retreat 
to  abandon  a  20-pounder  Parrot  gun  and  caisson  with  the  limber  of 
another  gun.^  In  this  assault  the  following  regiments  are  named  as 
particularly  distinguishing  themselves,  viz :  the  9th  Arkansas,  Col- 
onel Dunlop,  and  3d  Kentucky,  Colonel  Thompson,  of  Rust's  brigade  ; 
the  22d  Mississippi,  Captain  Lester  commanding ;  Caruthers'  Missis- 
sippi battalion,  and  the  1st  Missouri  regiment,  Colonel  Riley,  of  Bow- 
en's  brigade ;  and  the  3d  Mississippi,  Colonel  Hurst,  of  Villepigue's 
brigade.  The  hill  was  carried  mainly  by  the  9th  Arkansas  and 
22d  Mississippi,  each  vieing  with  the  other  in  the  dashing  gallantry 


30 

of  their  charge.  The  enemy's  camps,  half  a  mile  beyonJ  theposiiion, 
were  taken  and  held  by  the  1st  Missouri  regiment.  Rust  and  Ville- 
pigue  were  thrown  in  advance,  in  line  of  battle,  and  Bowen's  was  post- 
ed on  the  hill  until  we  should  hear  from  Price's  command,  on  our  left. 
On  our  right  front  was  a  strong  redoubt  well  flanked  with  infantry  and 
with  an  abattis  of  felled  timber,  half  a  mile  in  width,  extending  around 
it  in  one  direction,  but  with  no  obstructions  to  the  north,  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Price's  right.  This  fact  I  communicated  to  the  Major  General 
comman<ling,  and  shortly  afterwards  the  work  was  attacked  and  gal- 
lantly carried,  from  its  right  rear,  by  Moore's  brigade,  while  IJoA'en 
"was  ordered  to  turn  its  left  with  his  brigade  from  our  side.  Having 
replenished  our  ammunition,  the  whole  division  was  moved  forwar  I  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  bridge  south  of  the  railroad,  Villepigue 
and  Bowen  in  front  and  Rust  in  reserve.  I  received  orders  from  the 
General  commanding  to  move  .forward  cautiously,  feeling  our  way 
along  the  ridge  to  develop  the  position  of  the  enemy. 

Before  advancing  far,  night  put  an  end  to  the  operations  of  an  ar- 
duous and  fatiguing,  but  glorious,  day. 

In  the  night,  I  was  notified  by  the  commanding  General  that  early 
in  the  morning  Price  would  open  w^ith  a  largo  battery  of  artillery  and 
then  attack  in  force  with  his  left,  and  that  while  thus  engaged,  my  di- 
vision should  pass  forward  and  attack  with  vigor  on  our  right.  Ac- 
cordingly, at  iia}^  light,  the  division  was  moved  forward,  in  line,  along 
the  ridge,  for  a  mile  and  a  half,  ^Jith  some  very  heavy  firing  of  in- 
fantry on  Villcpigue's  left,  and  artillery  on  Bowen's  right.  Rust, 
hitherto  in  reserve,  moVed  up  and  occupied  the  centre,  the  line  adv  inc- 
ing  until  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  two. strong  works  of  nine 
guns  each,  protected  bA  heavy  infantry  forces.  While  reconnoitering 
these  positions,  with  a  view  to  the  assault,  I  received  an  onler  from 
the  commanding  General  to  detach  my  strongest  brigade  to  the  sup- 
port of  Price's  centre,  which  was  being  overpowered  by  large  reinforce- 
ments of  the  enemy.  This  order  was  obeyed,  and  I  was  about  to  move 
the  remaining  brigades  to  th^  left,  to  close  the  gap  made  by  detaching 
Villepigue,  when  the  further  order  was  received  to  retire,  covering  the 
retreat  of  the  army.  The  division  was  withdrawn  from  under  the 
very  guns  of  the  works  without  the  slightest  confusion,  and  in  the 
most  excellent  order.  Villepigue  crossed  the  railroad  and  with  his  ar- 
tillery, under  Major  Watts,  put  an  effectual  check  upon  the  pursuit  by 
the  enemy's  cavalry. 

Rust's  brigade  was  put  in  position  on  the  hill  carried  the  day  before, 
until  everything  had  been  withdrawn  across  Indian  creek,  when  he 
followed,  bringing  up  the  rear  to  Chewalla,  where  the  division  was 
reunited.  The  march  was  resumed  on  the  oth,  this  command  acting 
as  the  rear  guard  to  the  army.  Before  reaching  Tuscumbia  bridge  an 
order  was  received  from  the  General  coramantling  to  press  forward, 
with  tAvo  brigades,  to  the  support  of  Price,  who  was  checked  by  large 
reinforcements  of  fresh  troops  at  Hatchie  bridge.  Leaving  Bowen's 
brigade  as  a  rear  guard  on  the  Corinth  road,  Villepigue  and  Rust 
were  pushed  forward  rapidly.  The  former,  arriving  first,  was  put  in 
line  of  battle  on  the  road  to  Hatchie  bridge,  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check 


31 

• 
in  that  direction,  while  Rust  was  directed  to  procsed  with  General 
Price;  in  advance,  to  the  crossing  at  Crumb's  mills,  where.it  w-as  de- 
cided to  pass  the  army  over. 

Villepigue  held  the  enemy  back  with  skirmishers.  Bowen,  however, 
was  attacked  in  force,  on  the  other  road,  but  repelled  the  attack,  with 
great  slaughter  to  the  enemy  and  but  little  loss  to  his  own  command. 
They  were  clear  from  the  field  when  he  crossed  the  Tuscurabia  and 
bilrned  the  bridge,  all  the  wagons  having  been  passed  over  in  safety. 
The  15th  Mississippi  distinguished  itself  particularly  on  this  occasion. 
From  the  Hatchie  to  Hickory  Flat  (forty  miles,)  this  division  continued 
as  the  rear  guard  to  the  army,  frequently  forming  line  of  battle  when 
the  enemy  was  reported  to  be  coming  too  near,  cheerfully  toiling  along 
through  heat  and  dust  and  undergoing  long  marches,  loss  of  sleep  and 
want  of  food,  with  a  fortitude  worthy  of  the  most  unqualified  ad- 
miration. Good  order,  disciplini  and  subordination  suffered  no  re- 
solution under  this  severe  and  tryin^ordeal. 

To  the  commanders  of  brigades,  Generals  Rust,  Villepigue  and 
Bowen,  my  thanks  are  especially  due.  Displaying  their  well  known 
and  approved  gallantry  on  the  field,  they  evinced  sound  judgment,  dis- 
cretion and  ability  in  handling  their  troops,  l^oth  in  action  and  on  the 
march,  achieving  signal  success  with  small  loss.  The  admirable  con- 
dition in  which  the  division  returned  to  this  point  is  the  best  proof  of 
their  .merits.  Surgeon  Ilawes,  chief  medical  officer  of  the  division, 
performed  his  duties  quietly,  systematically  and  with  the  utmost  ef- 
ficiency. Our  wounded,  with  very  few  exceptions,  were  brought  to 
this  depot  My  thanks  are  due  to  the  officers  of  ray  staff.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Ivy,  Captain  Toutant  and  Captain  Quitman  for  their  assistance 
in  the  field,  and  in  the  conduct  of  the  retreat.  Being  few  in  number, 
additional  labor  devolved  upon  them.  Their  duties  were  performed 
cheerfully,  coolly  and  with  a  deliberate  gallantry  which  caused  me  to 
repose  the  greatest  confidence  in  them.  The  following  named  com- 
manders of  regiments  are  mentioned  particularly  by  their  brigade 
commanders  for  their  courage  and  efficiency:  Captain  Ashford,  35th 
Alabama  ;  Colonel  Dunlop,  9th  Arkansas  ;  Captain  Lester.  2id  Mis- 
sissippi;  Colonel  Riley,  1st  Missouri;  Colonel  Hurst,  33d  Missouri; 
Colonel  Shelby,  39th  Mississippi.  For  the  names  o^other  officers  who 
particularly  distinguished  themselves,  ycu  are  respectfully  referred  to 
the  report  of  the  brigade  commanders  herewith  transmitte^d.  Colonel 
Jackson,  commanding  cavalry  brigade,  acted  under  my  orders  during 
a  portion  of  the  time,  always  displaying  a  coolness,  courage  and  effi- 
ciency for  which  he  has  heretofore  been  remarkable.  The  loss  in  my 
command,  during  the  operations,  was  77  killed,  285  wounded,  and 
ttbout  20(1  missing. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  Commmiding, 


Report  of  Killed,  Wounded  and   Missing  in  1  st   Division  of  the  Army  of 
JVest    Tennessee,  near  Corinth,  Miss.,  on  3d,  4th  and  5th  Oct.,  1862. 

Killed.  "Wounded.  Missing. 
1st  brigade,  Gen.  Rust,                     25                   117  83 

2d         "         *'     Villepigue,  21  76  71 

3d         "         "     Bowen,  2G  92  40 

Cavalry  brigade,  Col.  Jackson,  1 

Bat'n.  of  Zouaves,  Maj.  Dupicre,      2  14 

Totals,  77  285  208 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed,  77 

"Wounded.  285 

Missing,  208 

Grand  total,  570 

Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  October  15th,  1862. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  A.  RUST, 
OF  OPERATIONS  NEAR  CORINTH,  ON  3D,  4TH,  AND 
5TH  OCTOBER,  1862. 


Head  Quarters,  1st  Brigade,  1st  Division,      ) 
District  of  Mississippi,  Hollj  Springs,  Oct.  13,  1862.  ) 

Colonel  :  In  response  to  M^ijor  General  Lovell's  circular  of  this 
date,  I  liave  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  opers^itions 
of  my  brigade  near  Corrinth,  >n  the  seconi,  third  and  fourth  inst. 
Moving  from  the  Hatchie  on  Thursday,  the  second,  my  brigade  in  ad- 
vance, when  within  eight  miles  of  Corinth  our  cavalry  came  up  with 
the  eneme  and  reported  his  presence.  In  obedience  to  orders  I  im- 
mediarely  formed  my  brigade  in  line  of  battle,  and  threw  forwanl  two 
companies  of  the  ninth  Arkansas  regiment  as  skirmishers.  Advanc- 
ing rapidly,  encountering  no  opposition  except  a  few  straggling  shots 
•which  were  not  responded  to,  we  came  directly  upon  an  abandoned 
camp  of  the  enemy,  in  which  were  a  redoubt  or  two  and  some  rifle 
pits.  These  were  all  abandoned,  and  after  passing  them,  without 
halting  an  instant,  some  half  mile  or  more,  we  were  ordered  to  bivouac 
in  line  of  battle.  A|,  four  o'clock  on  tin  morning  of  the  third,  the 
division  moved.  General  Villepigue  in  front,  towards  Corinth.  When 
within  three  miles  of  the  town.  General  Villepigue's  skirmishers  en- 
countered those  of  the  enemy.  This  was  on  the  extreme  right  of  the 
line  a<lopted  by  the  general  commanding  the  division.  This  being 
my  po-ition,  I  immediately  formed  my  men  in  front  of  the  supposed 
position  of  the  enemy,  relieving  General  Villepigue.  Major  Gibson 
was  ordered  to  deploy  his  (fourth  Alabama)  battalion  as  skirmishers, 
which  order  was  promptly  executed.  The  ninth  Arkansas,  Colonel 
Dunlop,  was  upon  my  left,  and  third  Kentucky,  Colonel  Thompson, 
on  my  right.  The  seventh  Kentucky,  under  Colonel  Crosslove,  was' 
held  in  reserve. 

These  dispositions  being  made,  an  advance  was  ordered.  Colonel 
Thompson  on  the  extreme  right,  with  a  considerable  interval  between 
his  regiment  and  the  balance  of  the  brigade,  was  purposely  put  in 
motion  a  short  time  before  the  other  regiments  were  ordered  forward. 
In  a  very  short  time  the  skirmishers  of  the  opposing  forces  engaged 
each  other.  The  engagement  soon  becaine  general.  On  the  right' 
the  firing  between  Colonel  Thompson,  third  Kentucky,  and  what  was 
«npposed  to  be  two  regiments  of  the  enemy,  posted  on  the  South-side 
3 


34 

of  the  M.  &  C.  R.  R.,  was  extremely  animated.  While  following  up 
the  ninth  Arkansas  and  thirty-first  and  thirty-fifth  Alabama  regiments 
in  the  direction  whence  came  terrific  vollies  of  shell,  grape  and  can- 
nister,  I  sent  a  staff  officer  to  Colonel  Thompson  to  know  if  he  could 
continue  to  advance  against  the  apparent  odds  opposed  to  him.  He 
was  pressing  steadily  forward,  but  was  apprehensive  his  right  might 
be  turned.  I  instantly  ordered  the  reserve  regiment,  seventh  Ken- 
tucky, to  his  support.  Officers  and  men  seemed  impatient  for  the 
order,  and  rushed  impetuously  forward,  but  only  reached  the  scene  of 
conflict  to  witness  the  flight  of  the  enemy  from  it.  Meanwhile  the 
left  wing  advanced  through  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry 
towards  the  enemy's  battery  and  the  infantry  that  (behind  trenches) 
supported  it.  The  -dense  forest  through  wlych  we  passed,  while  it 
lasted,  was  a  partial  protection.  As  we  emerged  from  it,  with  an  un- 
broken line,  in  full  view  of  the  enemy  in  his  strong  position,  beyond 
a  deep  cut  in  the  railroad,  not  more  than  sixty  yards  distant  in  a 
straight  line,  the  officers  and  men  were  subjected  to  a  test  that  it  is 
rarely  the  lot  of  soldiers  to  undergo.  They  were  equal  to  the  occa- 
sion. For  a  moment  it  appeared  that  the  entire  line  would  be  swept 
away.  The  gaps  that  the  enemy's  artillery  ploughed  through  the 
ranks,  were  closed  up  with  the  coolness  and  steadiness  of  veterans  of 
a  hundred  fields.  On  my  left  Captain  D.  H.  Norwood  and  Lieuts. 
Kennebrew  and  Moore  fell,  killed,  and  Lieuts.  Ken  and  Baily,  of  the 
ninth  Arkansas  regiment,  wounded,  while  on  my  right  Captain  Fulton 
was  killed,  and  Captain  ]\Iitchell  and  Lieutenants  Hunter,  Lawler 
and  Collice,  of  the  thirty-fifth  Alabama  regiment,  were  severely 
wounded,  bravely  leading,  and  by  their  example  inspiring  their  men 
with  their  own  unquailing  courage.  In  a  few  seconds  I  here  lost 
over  a  hundred  men  and  officers.  To  have  halted  or  hesitated  would 
have  brought  certain  destruction  upon  my  command,  I  ordered 
bayonet.i  fixed  and  a  charge  made  upon  the  battery.  The  order  was 
obeyed  with  cheers  and  yells,  and  by  making  a  ddtour  to  the  left,  to 
avoid  the  deep  cut  in  the  railroad,  the  ninth  Arkansas  was  soon  in 
possession  of  the  enemy's  strong  position,  (we  had  assaulted  and 
taken  one  fine  gun  Avhich  the  enemy  was  unable  to  get  off)  closely 
followed  by  the  thirty-fif  h  Alabama,  under  Colonel  Crump.  After 
advancing  some  three  hundred  yarJs  down  the  railroad,  I  halted  and 
reformed  my  men  and  marched  again  to  the  South-side  of  the  railroad, 
and  remained  in  position  until  a  fort  and  large  camp  in  front  of  us 
was  evacua,tcd,  in  consequence  of  a  most  determined  attack,  by  a  por- 
tion of  General  Price's  command,  on  their  rear.  Late  in  the  evening 
I  was  ordered  forward,  and  bivouacked  in  line  of  battle  in  the  midst 
of  the  forts  £,nd -camps  of  the  enemy,  and  inside  of  an  abattis  which 
extended  entirely  around  their  exterior  line  of  defence. 

On  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the  fourth,  the  whole  division  ad- 
vanced in  line  of  battle  towards  the  fortifications  of  the  enemy  on 
College  Hill ;  General  Villepigue  on  the  left,  General  Bowen  on  the 
jight,  in  front,  and  my  own  brigade  following  close  in  the  rear  as  a 
reserve,  to  support  either  or  both  as  occasion  might  require,  "When 
within  two  or  three  hundred  yards  of  several  forts,  behind  which  long 


35 

lines  of  infantry  behind  formidable  looking  breast-works,  witb  abatis 
again  in  front,  were  plainly  visable."  The  enemy  opened  a  most  rapid 
fire  from  their  artillery,  which  my  entire  command  sustained  with  the 
most  gratifjung  steadiness,  not  an  officer  or  man  leaving  his  position 
or  exhibiting,  so  far  as  I  could  perceive,  the  least  discomposure. 
About  nine  and  a  half  o'clock  I  moved  my  brigade  to  the  front  and 
left  of  the  advance  line  occupied  by  General  Bowcn,  who  was  ordered 
far  to  the  right,  and  General  Yillepigue  was  withdrawn  to  reinforce 
a  portion  of  General  Price's  line,  which,  after  the  most  stubborn  and 
heroic  resistance  to  greatly  superior  numbers,  of  what  was  afterwards 
known  to  be  fresh  troops,  was  wavering.  In  a  very  short  time  it  was 
announced  by  the  major  general  commanding,  that  our  friends  on  the 
left  had  been  compelled  to  give  way  and  abandon  the  field,  and  I  was 
ordered  to  foil  back  to  the  position  first  taken  from  the  enemy,  near 
where  the  road  from  Chewalla  to  Corinth  crosses  the  railroad,  and 
there  form  line  of  battle  in  the  most  advantageous  position  to  cover 
the  retreat  of  our  army.  In  perfect  order,  but  as  quickly  as  possible, 
I  selected  a  line  of  great  strength,  with  skirmishers  displayed  on  a 
line  a  mile  in  e.xtent  and  three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  advance  of  my 
main  line,  from  which  I  could  repel  an  advance  of  the  enemy  upon 
the  two  roads,  and  the  railroad  leading  to  Corinth,  and  awaited  the 
withdrawal  of  our  forces.  Remaining  exactly  forty  minutes  after 
Colonel  lliley  passed,  I  moved  my  briga  le  in  the  direction  taken  by 
our  retreating  columns  until  I  came  to  the  field  hospital,  where  I 
found  eight  wounded  soldiers,  only  three  of  whom  were  willing  to  be 
moved.  Two  of  them  I  had  carried  beyond  the  reach  of  the  enemy 
on  litters,  the  third  Avas  able  to  ride  on  a  caisson,  1  then  continued, 
my  march  without  again  confronting  the  enemy  during  the  enUre  re- 
treat. The  good  conduct  of  officers  and  men  in  performing  the  re- 
sponsible duty  of  rear  guard  to  .a  retreating  army,  cannot  be  too- 
highly  commended.  There  was  not  a  semblance  of  panic  or  disorder, 
or  even  unusual  excitement  during  the  entire  retreat,  upon  which  my 
brigade  marched  in  better  order  and  with  more  deliberation  than  it 
had  done  at  all  before,  or  has  done  since.  The  signal  good  conduct 
which  thoy  displayed  on  the  field  of  battle  or  in  the  face  of  dangers 
and  death,  and  the  fortitude  and  constancy  with  Avhich  they  sustained 
themselves  afterwards  under  privations  and  hardships  and  sufi'erings, 
more  trying  to  the  soldier  than  the  most  appaling  dangers,  are,  I  trust, 
only  an  earnest  to  the  country  of  what  she  may  expect  from  them  in 
the  future.  In  conclusion"  it  is  only  necessary  to  say  of  the  third 
Kentucky,  that  Colonel  Thompson  and  the  men  and  officers  under 
him,  fully  sustained  the  reputation  they  had  won  on  other  fields. 
The  only  regret  of  Colonel  Crosslove  and  his  men,  of  the  seventh 
Kentucky,  when  ordered  to  the  support  of  the  third,  was  that  this. 
regiment  stood  so  little  in  need  of  it.  The  conduct  of  the  thirty-fifth, 
Alabama,  commanded  by  Captain  Ashford,  though  deprived  by  illness 
of  their  accomplished  Colonel,  (Robertson)  couKl  not  have  been  im-- 
proved  by  the  presence  of  any  officer.  The  fourth  Alabama  battalion, 
under  Major  Gibson,  deployed  as  skirmishers,  performed  well  the 
part  allotted  to  to  them.     The  ninth  Arkansas,  under  Colonel  Dunlop, 


36 

who  was  conspicuous  for  the  activity  and  gallantry  displayed  in  keep- 
ing his  men  in  line,  and  moving  steadily  forward  in  the  face  of  the 
deadly  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery,  won  the  applause  and  admiration 
of  all  who  witnessed  its  conduct.  Its  colors  were  borne  by  their  in- 
trepid i^ergeant,  John.  M.  Pearce,  upwards  and  onwards  without 
faltering  during  the  hottest  of  the  fire,  while  his  comrades  were  fal- 
ling thick  and  fast  around  him.  When  all  behaved  so  well,  the  com- 
manding general  will  not  hazard  injustice  by  mentioning  those  who 
particularly  attracted  his  notice.  1  regret  that  a  sense  of  duty  to 
the  service  and  of  justice  to  the  balance  of  the  brigade,  will  not  allow 
me  to  bestow  the  same  unmixed  praise  upon  the  thirty-first  Alabama' 
regiment.  A  portion  of  this  r<gimeut,  in  spite  of  the  gallantry  of 
their  colonel  and  his  efforts  to  make  them  do  their  duty,  following 
the  example  of  s  .me  of  its  commissioned  officers,  behaved  disgrace- 
fully. At  a  most  critical  moment  it  broke  in  disorder  and  all  efforts 
to  restore  it  were  unavailing.  I  called  the  attention  of  their  colonel 
to  the  misconduct  of  several  officers,  whose  example  was  evidently 
demoralizing  to  the  men,  and  ordered  them  to  surrender  their  s words 
and  have  the  field.  Upon  their  earnest  entreaties  to  be  tried  again,  I 
permitted  them  to  retain  their  swords  and  remain,  with  the  hope  and 
belief  that  hereafter  their  conduct  may  be  in  harmony  with  the  brave 
members  of  the  same  regiments,  whose  conduct  could  not  suffer  by 
comparison  with  other  commanders  in  the  brigade. 

I  withhold  their  names,  though  there  can  be  no  controversy  as  to 
the  regiments  that  were  first  in  the  strong  position  abandoned  by  the 
enemy  ami  in  possession  of  the  Lady  Richardson  which  in  their  flight 
they  left  behind  them.  It  is  due  to  the  right  wing  of  General 
Bowen's  admirable  brigade,  the  twenty-second  Mississippi,  under 
Lieut(  nant  (Colonel  Lester,  to  acknowledge  that  their  advance  upon 
our  left  and  the  right  oi  the  enemy's  battery,  attracted  a  portion  of 
its  fire,  in  concert  with  our  advance  grcately  facilitated  its  capture, 
entitled  them  to  a  full  share  of  the  honor. 

,  I  would  here  express  my  obligations  to  Captain  Fall  and  Lieuten- 
ants Anderson,  Ayers  and  Bertraud,  of  my  staff,  for  the  prompt  and 
intelligent  manner  in  which  they  executed  my  orders.  Lieutenant 
Sweeny,  in  command  of  the  Hudson  Battery  attached  to  my  brigade, 
had  no  opportunity  to  participate  in  the  action,  but  executed  quickly 
and  cheerfully  every  order  addressed  to  him. 

Casualties  on  the  field  and  upon  the  retreat,  twenty-five  killed,  one 
hundred  and  seventeen  wounded  and  eighty-three  missing. 

The  dense  forest  of  heavy  timl)er  and  thick  undergrowth,  under 
cover  of  which  the  brigade  advanced  until  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
enemy's  battery,  accounts  for  the  comparatively  small  number  of 
killed  and  wounded. 

(Signed,)  A,  RUST, 

Brigadier  Gtntral  commanding  First  Biig-de, 
First  Division,  Army  of  the  District  of  Miss. 

(Ofiicial  copy,) 

Edward  Ivy,  Lieut.  Col.  and  A.  A.  G. 


O^FICFAL  REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  JOHN  S. 
BOWEN  OF  PART  TAKEN  BY  HIS  BRIGADE  IN  THE 
ACTIONS  OF  THE  3D,  4TH  AND  5TH,  AT  AND  NEAR 
CORINTH,  MISSISSIPPI. 


Headquarters  3d  BracADE,  Lovell's  Division,  ) 
Holly  Springs,  October  12,  1863.      ) 

To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  Ivev, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  herewith  reports  from  my  several 
commands  in  regard  to  the  part  taken  by  them  in  the  actions  of  the 
third,  fourth  and  fifth  instants,  at  and  near  Corinth.  It  will  be  seen 
that,  passing  over  the  deployments  between  Chewalla  and  the  creek 
west  of  Corinth,  where  the  enemy's  outposts  were  driven  in  witii  little 
or  no  resistance,  this  brigade  first  formed  line  of  battle  to  the  east 
of  Cypress  creek,  with  Rust's  brigade  on  its  right  and  Villepigue'a 
on  the  left.  A  heavy  line  of  skirmishers,  composed  of  the  first  Mis- 
souri regimont  and  the  Mississippi  battalion  of  sharpshooters  proceed- 
ing in  advance,  supported  by  the  twenty-second  and  fifteenth  Missis- 
sippi regiments  in  line,  and  the  sixth  Mississippi  regiment  (Colonel 
Lowry)  and  Watson  battery  (Captain  Bursley)  in  reserve. 

The  line  advanced  steadily,  forcing  back  the  enemy's  sharpf^hooters 
into  their  entrenchments,  and,  pushing  on,  charged  their  works,  cap- 
turing their  battery  at  the  salient  near  the  railroad  and  driving  their 
entire  infantry  force  from  the  trenches.  Rust's  and  Villepige"s  carry- 
ing the  trenches  in  front  of  them  about  the  same  time,  rendered  the 
work  comparatively  easy  for  my  brigade.  The  twenty-second  Mis- 
sissippi regiment  (Captain  Lester  commanding)  deserves  special  men- 
tion for  their  gallant  charge  on  this  occasion.  The  Mississippi  bat- 
talion of  sha  pshooters  (Captain  Caruthers  commanding)  were  con- 
spicuous for  their  coolness  and  courage,  also  for  joining  the  twenty- 
2d  Miss,  regiment  in  the  charge  in  which  they  captured  the  battery. 
The  first  Missouri  regiment,  gathering  in,  charged,  while  deployed  as 
skirmishers,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  trenches  before  I  could 
reach  the  position  with  the  fifteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  which  was 
advancing  towards  the  same  point.  The  first  Missouri  regiment, 
Lieutenant  Colonel^iley  commanding,  proceeding  onward,  drove  the 
enemy  from  one  o^fcieir  encampments  nearly  a  mile  inside  of  their 


33 

works,  holding  the  same,  under  fire,  until  the  second  line  of  battle  '^ 
was  formed,  towards  sunset,  for  the  attack  on  the  right.  The  enemy 
having  abandoned  the  works  our  right,  the  second  line,  above 
above  alluded  to,  advanced  and  occupied  their  encampments,  capturing 
a  few  stragglers  in  the  evening.  On  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  the 
brigade  was  formed  in  accordance  with  instructions  received  the  night 
before,  immediately  in  advance  of  the  encampment  occupied,  ^nd 
advanced  steadily  with  Villepigue  on  its  left  and  Rust  in  reserve,  the 
whole  moving  together.  Arriving  within  six  hundred  yards  of  a 
strong  redoubt,  supported  on  the  right  and  left  by  a  similar  work,  with 
a  formidable  line  of  infantry  entrenched  connecting  them,  it  was 
halted,  and  afcr  a  protracted  skirmish,  which  failed  to  develop  the 
enemy's  strength  on  the  position,  I  determined,  in  absence  of  the 
major  general  commanding,  to  feel  them  more  eflfectually  and  force 
them  to  show  their  strength.  The  Watson  battery  (four  guns)  was 
ordered  to  open  the  works  immediately  in  our  front,  and  during  the 
second  round,  was  answered  by  a  terrific  cannonade  from  the  right, 
left  and  front,  convincing  me  that  the  information  given  that  there 
were  only  three  guns  at  this  point  was  erroneous,  as  I  had  thus 
developed  at  least  twenty.  The  battery  was  ordered  to  the  rear,  and  after 
the  firing  abated  slightly,  I  moved  the  brigade  a  short  distance  to  the 
rear  near  Rust's  line,  in  order  to  take  advantage  of  the  ground  and 
save  it  from  a  repetition  of  the  galling  fire  which  had  opened  upon 
them. 

The  brigade's  loss,  during  this  shelling,  was  about  fifty  men  killed 
and  wounded,  and. the  whole  command  deserves  special  commendation 
for  their  coolness  under  fire.  After  remaining  for  some  time  (two 
hours)  in  the  new  position,  our  skirmishers  keeping  up  a  continuous 
fire  on  our  front  and  right,  and  after  Villepigue  had  repelled  the 
attack  made  on  his  line  and  moved  to  the  left,  my  brigade  was  ordered 
to  the  rear,  while  Rust  formed  line  of  battle  beyond,  at  the  salient, 
near  the  railroad  crossing.  The  first  Missouri  regiment,  deployed  as 
skirmishers,  covered  the  rear  of  both  brigades.  The  command,  after 
a  successful  evacuation,  camped  at  ChcwaU^bout  sunset.  Detailed, 
on  the  morning  of  the  fifth,  as  the  rear  guard  of  the  army,  the  brigade 
left  its  encampments,  in  rear  of  the  train,  at  about  ten  A.  M.,  march- 
ing slowly,  very  much  annoyed  and  delayed  by  the  wagons.  At 
twelve  M.,  the  enemy's  advance  overtook  us,  and  I  formed  line  of 
battle  with  the  Mississippi  battalion  and  one  section  of  artillery  under 
■Lieutenant  Barlow  in  advance,  our  line  then  fronting  the  enemy.  The 
attack  was  made  by  their  cavalry  and  vigorously  repulsed  by  two 
companies  of  Jackson's  cavalry  and  the  Mississippi  battalion,  and 
their  rout  completed  by  the  rapid  and  cfTective  fire  of  Lieutenant 
Barlow's  section.  Resuming  the  retreat  we  were  not  again  molested, 
until  compelled  to  halt,  for  several  hours,  at  the  Tuscumbia  river  bridge, 
allowing  the  wagons  to  cross.  The  enemy  arrived  at  our  position 
near  the  bridge  al^out  sunset.  Deploying,  they  endeavored  to  turn 
.my  left  in  order  to  cut  me  off  from  the  bridge,  at  the  same  time 
advancing  strongly  on  my  front  and  centre.    Aft^  heavy  skirmishing 


well  maintained  on  both  sides,  and  some  artiller^lring  by  the  enemy, 


39 

they  advanced  boldly  in  front  of  my  centre  opposite  the  fifteenth 
Mississippi  re-giment.  Taking  command  of  this  regiment  in  person,  I 
advanced  it  about  fifteen  paces,  and  then  poured  a  deliberate,  well- 
aimed  and  simultaneous  volley.  This  fire,  which  was  handsomely 
seconded  by  several  rounds  of  canister  by  Binlcy's  first  section  under 
Lieutenant  Toledano,  on  our  immediate  right,  which  enfiladed  their 
line,  followed  up  a  rapid,  well-aim  id  and  continuous  file  fire  from  the 
fifteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  must  have  proved  destructive,  as  the 
advance  was  not  only  thus  checked,  but  their  whole  force  field  from 
the  field.  I  then  crossed  the  Tuscumbia  at  my  leisure,  tore  up  and 
burnt  the  bridge,  obstructed  the  ford  near  by,  and  joined  the  division 
about  three  miles  beyond.  My  loss  in  the  action  of  the  Tuscumbia 
was  two  or  three  killed  and  eight  or  ten  wounded.  This  brigade  waa 
subsequently  detailed  as  the  rear  guard  of  the  army,  but  had  no  other 
engagement  with  the  enemy.  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith 
a  full  list  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  the  three  days'  actions 
alluded  to.  The  officers  of  my  staff  were  present  and  untiring  in  the 
discharge  of  their  respective  duties.  In  addition  to  the  assistance 
given  by  my  adjutant  general,  Captain  Hutchinson,  my  inspector 
general,  Captain  Percy,  and  Lieutenant  Carter,  aid-de-camp,  I  am 
indebted  to  Caldwell,  of  the  Watson  battery,  for  bearing  orders  in  the 
field.  All  of  these  gentlemen  were  conspicuous  for  coolness  and 
courage  during  the  action  and  on  the  retreat. 

•  In  closing,  I  would  call  the  attention  of  .the  division  commander  to 
the  unexampled  courage  and  endurance  displayed  by  the  troops,  who, 
under  hardships  and  privations  which  can  only  be  appreciated  by 
those  who  experienced  them,  never  faltered  in  the  discharge  of  their 
arduous  duties.  The  exceptions  mentioned  in  the  report  of  Colonel 
Farrel,  fifteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  were  conspicuous  in  a  brigade 
which  acted  so  well  that  they  deserve  to  be  immediately  punished.  I 
know  of  no  better  way  of  rewarding  the  two  thousand  brave'  men 
than  by  casting  out  the  two  or  three  cowards  who  happen  to 
be  among  them.  I,  therefore,  recommend  that  second  Lieutenant  S. 
T.  Clark,  Co.  A,  fifteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  be  dismissed  in  dis- 
grace, and  that  corporal  Bennett  and  privates  Applegate  and  Spiney, 
Co.  B,  be  drummed  out  of  the  service,  and  their  names  published 
with  the  sentence  attached. 

Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  S.  BOWEN, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  JOHN  B.  VILLEPIGUE 
OF  OPERATIONS  OF  BRIGADE  BEFORE  CORINTU. 


Hkadquarters  2d  Brigade,  1st  Division,  ) 

Army  of  District  of  the  Mississippi,  October  14th,  1862.  ) 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  Ivey, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General^  First  Division^  Army  District  of  the  3Iiss^ : 

Colonel:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  second  brigade,  in  the  actions  bctore  Corinth  on  the 
third  and  fourth  instants: 

In  approaching  Corinth  on  the  third  instant,  the  second  brigade  was 
in  advance.  An  outpost  of  the  enemy  was  met  about  five  miles  from 
the  fortress,  and  driven  into  the  outer  entrenchments  "without  much 
opposition.  On  reaching  a  creek  about  three  miles  from  the  fortress 
and  quite  near  the  outer  entrenchments,  the  march  of  the  column  was 
delayed  tor  some  time  by  the  enemy's  artillery  and  from  tlie  bridge 
over  the  creek  having  been  destroyed.  The  passage,  however,  was 
effected  in  good  time,  and  the  ])rigadc  was  engaged  in  heavy  skirmish- 
ing with  the  enemy  until  the  other  brigades  of  the  division  had  crossed 
and  taken  up  tiieir  positions.  Tlie  whole  division  then  advanced,  the 
second  brigade  being  on  the  extreme  left.  The  enemy  were  driven 
steadily  before  us  until  we  came  in  view  of  the  outer  entrenchments 
or  rifle  pits.  Our  onward  course  was  here  clieckcd  for  a  short  time, 
in  consequence  of  the  deadly  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  the  nature  of  the 
obstructions  in  front  of  us. 

After  a  slight  pause,  the  thirty-third  Mississippi  (Colonel  D.  W. 
Hurst,  commanding)  charged  the  entrenchments,  and  drove  the  enemy 
from  them  in  gallant  style.  In  consequence  of  the  dense  thickness  of 
the  undergrcwth,  I  had  lost  sight  of  all  of  m}'  regiments  except  the 
thirty-thir*l  Mississippi,  so  that  after  capturing  the  entrenchments, 
considerable  time  elapsed  before  my  scattered  regiments  could  be  col- 
lected and  the  line  reformed.  During  the  rest  of  the  day  the  brigade 
was  engaged  in  executing  orders  from  the  major  general  commanding 
the  division,  but  was  not  actively  engaged  Avith  the  enemy.  Early 
the  following  morning,  the  brigade  advanced  as  directed  until  under 
the  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery,  which,  together  with  the  fire  from  the 
enemy's  sharpshooters,  was  very  heavy,  causing  many  casualties. 
Under  the  circumstances,  the  conduct  of  the  troops  was  excellent,  and 


41 

could  not  be  surpassed.  Later  in  the  morning,  it  became  necessary 
to  fall  back  from  this  advanced  position,  to  defeat  an  attempt  of  the 
enemy  to  turn  my  left  flank,  which  was  accomplished  in  good  order, 
and  the  enemy  repulsed  in  gallant  style,  and  with  considerable  loss. 
This  last  action  having  caused  the  whole  left  wing  of  the  army  to 
attack  the  enemy's  right,  the  enemy  did  not  again  appear  in  my  imme- 
diate front,  and  the  brigade  remained  idle  until  ordered  across  the 
railroad  to  cover  the  movements  of  the  left  wing  of  the  army,  which 
had  been  withdrawn.  While  performing  this  service,  the  enemy's 
cavalry  once  appear^  in  sight,  and  it  became  necessary  to  disperse 
them,  which  was  done  by  Major  G.  0.  Watts,  by  a  few  rounds  from 
one  of  his  batteries.  I  wish  to  mention  for  conspicuous  gallantry 
Colonel  D.  W.  Hurst,  thirty-third  Mississippi  regiment,  who  drove 
the  enemy  from  their  entrenchments,  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  with 
empty  guns.  Colonel  W.  B  Shelby,  thirty-ninth  Mississippi  regi- 
ment, who  rallied  his  men  at  great  personal  risk  from  a  partial  disorder 
into  which  they  had  been  thrown  by  a  flank  fire  of  the  enemy. 
The  following  officers  of  my  staff  were  with  me  on  the  field,  and  ren- 
dered me  important  service  in  conveying  orders,  etc.  Captain  Kinlock 
Falconer,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  and  Major  J.  P.  Carr,  A.  C. 
S.,  and  Captain  Belton,  A.  Q.  M. 

I  transmit   the  reports   of   the  different  regimental  commanders, 
giving  the  detailed  operations  of  the  respective  commands.     I  also 
enclose  a  list  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
I  am,  Colonel,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  B.  VILLEPIGUE, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  MAURY  (COMMAND^ 
ING  DIVISION)  OF  ACTION  AT  CORI]||rn  AND  HATCHIE 
BRIDGE  3D,  ITM  AND  jTH  OCTOBER,  1862. 


IIeadquautlrs  Maurv's   Division,      ) 
Camp  on  Tippah,  October  10th,  1862.   } 
Captain  J.  M.  Loughborough, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

C\PTAiiV  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  this  division  of  the  army 
of  the  West  moved  from  Ripley  towards  Corinth  on  the  30th  Septem- 
ber, numbering  3,890  inf;intry,  five  light  batteries  of  foar  guns  each 
and  83 1  cavalry.  On  the  morning  of  October  third  we  moved,  at  day- 
light, from  our  camp  near  Chewalla  to  attack  the  enemy  in  Corinth. 
The  division  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  near  Walkers  house.  North  of 
the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad.  Moore's  brigade,  with  its  right 
resting  near  the  railroad  ;  Phifer's  brigade  was  formed  on  Moore's 
left,  extending  to  Ilebert's  division;  and  Cabell's  brigade  was  held  in 
reserve.  The  line  faced  Corinth  and  the  enemy's  advanced  line  of  en- 
trenchments. 

The  sharp-shooters  of  Moore's  and  Phif«r's  brigades,  under  Colonels 
Rogers,  Sherman  and  Bridges,  soon  became  briskly  engaged  with 
those  of  the  enemy,  and  forced  them  back  into  their  entrenchments. 
At  ten,  A.  M.,  our  whole  line  moved  forAvard,  and  the  strong  out- 
works of  the  enemy  were  carried  without  check.  Moore  and  Phifer 
at  once  pushed  on  toward  Corinth  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy. 
When  within  little  more  than  a  mile  of  the  town  they  were  halted. 
Moore  was  moved  towards  his  rio;ht  to  unite  with  the  line  of  Gen. 
Lovell,  which  was  advancing  along  the  South-side  of  the  Memphis 
and  Charleston  railroad  and  soon  encountered  a  heavy  force  of  the 
enemy,  whom,  after  a  fierce  contest,  he  drove  before  him.  Soon  after- 
wards he  was  reinforced  by  two  regiments  of  Cabell's  brigade,  under 
Colonels  Johnson  and  Dockery.  The  advance  was  then  resumed  and 
Moore  soon  became  hotly  engaged  with  the  enemy,  occupying  a  field- 
work,  or  entrenched  camp.  This  he  carried  by  assault,  capturing  the 
camp  and  its  stores.  Phifer,  advancing,  was  met  near  the  Mobile 
and  Ohio  railroad  by  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy,  whom,  after  an  ob- 
stinate combat,  attended  with  a  heavy  loss  on  both  sides,  he  drove 
back  into  Corinth  and  was  then  halted  with  his  left  resting  within  four 
hundred  yards  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad,  his  right  being  a  little 


43 

thrown  back.  Cabell  was  sent  to  support  Phifer's  right  now  sepera- 
ted  by  a  wide  spafie  from  Moore,  and  was  soon  afterwards  withdrawn 
to  support  Hebert's,  who  was  threatened  by  a  flanic  movemet  of  the 
enemy  towards  his  extreme  left.  About  dark  Moore  was  drawn  in 
towards  his  left,  until  his  line  united  with  Phifer's  ;  and  the  troops  lay 
on  their  arms  in  these  positions  all  night.  Just  before  daylight,  Major 
Burnett  placed  the  batteries  of  Tobin,  Sengstack  and  Morally  upon 
an  advanced  ridge  about  six  hundred  yards  from  Corinth,  and  opened 
fire  upon  the  town.  One  of  their  pieces,  while  taking  position,  being 
thrown  by  Captain  Tobin  rather  too  far  beyond  his  support,  was  sur- 
prised and  captured  by  the  enemys'  sharp-shooters.  Captain  Tobin 
was  made  prisoner  at  the  same  time.  At  daylight  all  of  those  guns 
were  withdrawn,  and  the  fire  of  the  division  was  maintained  by  the 
sharp-shooters  only,  who,  boldly  and  incessantly,  under  Rodgers,  Ster- 
man  and  Bridges,  harassed  tlie  enemy.  I  had  been  ordered  to  await 
the  attack  of  Hebert's  division  on  my  left  before  advancing  to  storm 
the  town.  Soon  after  nine  o'clock  the  firing  upon  my  left  became 
sharp,  and  Moore  and  Phifer  were  at  once  advanced.  Cabell's  brigade 
was  moved  closer  up  and  held  in  reserve.  In  a  few  minutes  the  fusi- 
lade  became  general  along  the  whole  line  of  the  army  of  the  West ; 
and  Cabell's  brigade  was  ordered  in  to  support  of  Gates'  brigade  the 
next  on  Phifer's  left.  The  brigades  of  Generels  Moore,  Phifer  and, 
Cabell  were  gallantly  led  by  their  commanders  to  the  assault  of  the 
enemy's  work  in  the  heart  of  Corinth.  They  carried  them,  planted 
their  colors  within  them,  drove  the  enemy  from  them,  and  held  them 
until  forced  back  by  the  overwhelming  reserves  of  the  enemy.  The 
division  was  then  reformed  and  marched  back  to  encamp  near  Chewalla. 
Next  morning  it  moved  towards  Pocahontas.  When  within  five  miles 
of  Davis'  bridge,  couriers  from  Colonel  Wirt  Adams,  who  had  been 
guarding  that  point,  apprised  us  that  the  enemy  was  advancing  in  force 
to  seize  it  before  we  could  cross.  Moore's  brigade,  now  reduced  to 
about  300  men,  was  pushed  forward,  and  with  the  St.  Louis  battery 
and  two  guns  taken  from  the  enemy  at  Corinth,  (all  under  Major  Bur- 
nett's orders,)  marched  across  the  bridges  and  formed  with  the  view  of 
storming  the  heights  of  Mctamoras.;  but  they  were  too  few  and  too 
late.  The  enemy's  artillery  and  infantry,  already  in  position,  swept 
them  away  and  were  close  upon  the  bridge  before  Phifer's  brigade, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Ross,  could  cross  and  form  and  meet  them  ; 
(we  lost  four  of  our  gutis  here.)  Nothing  remained  for  us  now  but 
to  dispute  the  enemy's  passage  over  the  bridge,  and  to  hold  him  in 
check  as  long  as  possible.  This  was  gallantly  done  for  more  than  an 
hour  by  the  remnants  of  Moore's,  Phifer's  and  Cabell's  brigades,  and 
by  the  batteries  of  Hogg,  Sengstack  Dawson,  Lieutenant  INIoore  and 
Lieutenant  Miles,  superintended  by  Major  Burnett.  They  were  all 
then  ordered  to  retire  and  take  up  a  position  within  the  tiqiber.  This 
was  done  in  good  order,  and  the  enemy  not  advancing,  the  whole 
division  was  withdrawn  and  put  upon  the  march  by  another  route,  our 
rear  being  covered  by  General  Villepigue's  brigade.  Last  night,  the 
division  bivoucked  at  this  point.  I  enclose  herewith  the  reports  of  the 
several  brigade  commanders,  and  refer  you  to  them  for  more  detailed 


44 

accounts  of  these  actions  than  I  can  give.  I  can  bear  honest  testi- 
mony to  the  fidelity  and  valor  of  the  officers  and  troops  under  my 
command.  The  instances  of  gallant  conduct  would  include  too  many 
for  me  to  mention  here. 

But  there  are  two  men  of  humble  rank  whoso  conspicuous  courage 
and  energy  at  Davis'  bridge  attracted  general  attention  and  admira- 
tion. One  is  Earnest  Goolah,  chief  bugler  of  Ross'  regiment;  the 
other  is  Benjamin  J.  Chandler,  a  private  of  Co.  "  C,"  Sleram's  cav- 
alry. I  recommend  thcra  to  the  most  favorable  considerations  of  the 
General  comuianding  as  worthy  of  the  honors  due  to  conspicuous 
courage  upon  the  battle-field.  My  staff  officers  were  always  prompt, 
intelligent  and  gallant. 

I  enclose  the  reports  of  our  losses.  You  will  observe  that  they 
have  been  very  hsavy.  But,  sir,  we  remember  that  our  noble  dead 
fell  in  the  streets  and  in  the  innermo.<tTortifications  of  Corinth,  and 
that  our  torn  colors  have  floated  in  triumph  over  the  very  stronghold 
of  the  foe. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully  yours, 

DABNEY  II.  MAURY, 
Major  General  Commanding  Division. 
(Official  Copy.) 

Maceran,  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


REPORT   OF   BRIG.   GEN.   GREEN   OF  TFIE   ACTIONS  OF 
THIRD,  FOURTH  AND  FIFTH  INSTANTS. 


Acting  Adjutant  General,  Army  of  the  West : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  part 
taken  by  that  portion  of  the  army  under  my  command  in  the  recent 
engagement  at  (^oiinth. 

On  ttie  morr.ing  of  the  third  in^mt,  being  in  command  of  the  third 
brigade  of  the  first  division,  commlraded  by  Brigadier  General  Ilebert, 
I  was  ordered  to  take  position  on  the  left  of  the  fourth  brigade,  form- 
ing a  line  in  front  of  and  about  three  or  four  huntfred  yards  from  the 
cnemys'  outer  breast  works.  Scarcely  was  the  line  formed  when  tho 
en6ray  opened  upon  us  with  great  fierceneSvS  a  fire  of  shell  and  .grape, 
doing  us,  however,  but  little  harm,  wounding  a  few  men.  About 
twelve  o'clock  we  were  ordered  to  advance;  our  skirmishers  being  in 
front  of  our  lines,  soon  drove  the  enemy's  skirmishers  inside  of  the 
fortifications,  where  they  endeavored  to  make  a'  stand,  and  opened 
upon  us  with  musketry.  We  continued  to  advance  rapidly ;  the 
enemy  fled,  and  we  took  possession  of  the  fortifications.  The  order 
b-'ing  still  to  move  forward,  we  moved  in  line  until  we  came  to  an 
open  field,  where  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  amurd.rous  fire  from  two 
batteries  placed  upon  a  hill  beyond,  I  halted  the  brigade  and  ordered 
Captains  Landis  and  Geuher  with  their  batteries  to  take  position  and 
fire  upon  the  enemy.  We  here  had  a  brisk  artillery  figho  which  lasted 
about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  Our  batteries  having  .driven  those 
of  the  enemy  from  tlieir  position,  I  then  advanced  my  brigade  until  I 
came  to  another  field  where  I  found  the  enemy  i0  line,  under  the  cover 
of  a  fence  on  the  far  side  of  the  field,  awaiting  our  approaeh  Here 
we  saw  danger  ahead,  with  a  battery  and  line  of  infantry  firing  upon 
us  from  the  lefc,  and  a  heavy  fire  in  front.  We  moved  forward  at 
double-quick  across  the  open  field  to  meet  the  enemy.  Here  was  an 
unceasing  fire  of  musketry  for  about  one  and  a  halfnours,  and  as  we 
would  break  the  lines  of  the  enemy  they  would  bring  fresh  troops.  I 
sent  to  Colonel  Gates,  whose  brigade  was  not  engaged,  to  try  and 
relieve  us  of  the  cross  fire  on  the  left,  which  he  did  by  sending  to  my 
support  the  second  Missouri  infantry,  Colonel  Cockerel  commanding. 
We  then  soon  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  from  the  field,  but  not 
until  we  had  lost  many  brave  and  gallant  officers  and  soldiers.  During 
\]iis  engagement  I  was  enabled  to  see  the  whole  length  of  my  brigade, 
consisting  of  three  Missouri  and  two  Mississippi  regiments,  and  I  am 


46 

proud  to  pay  tlicre  was  no  faltering,  but  all  seemed  eager  for  tlie  com- 
bat. xVnd  nobly  did  they  sustain  it ;  no  troops  could  have  done  bet- 
ter, nor  could  I  distinguish  between  the  regiments  which  behaved  the 
most  gallantly ;  each  did  vigorously  the  -work  assigned  it.  In  this 
charge  we  lost  lai-gely  in  officers.  Colonels  Erwin  and  McFarland 
and  Lieutenant  Colonels  Ferrell  and  llcdgespeth  were  woundred. 
Colonel  Ferrell  fell  while  urging  his  men  forward ;  he  was  at  least 
twenty  yards  in  advance  of  his  command.  I  fear  he  will  never  again 
be  able  to  take  the  field.  In  him  we  lose  a  gallant  officer.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Leigh  of  the  forty  third  Mississippi  foil  while  gallantly  lead- 
ing his  wing  of  the  regiment.  Major  McQuiddy  was  severely  wounded. 
Major  A^aughan  of  the  sixth  Missouri  was  killed.  While  leading 
this  charge  several  officers  of  the  line  were  killed,  among  whom  were 
the  following :  Captain  Taylor,  Captain  McKinney,  Captain  Graves. 

After  the  enemy  fell  back  and  the  firing  ceased,  we  gathered  up 
the  wounded  and  advanced  our  lines  some  two  hundred  yards  beyond 
where  the  enemy  had  fought  us.  and  slept  on  our  arms  all  night. 

About  daylight,  leaving  our  skirmtslK^i's  out,  we  fell  back  about  one 
hundred  yards  under  cover  of  theViU,  in  order  to  get  some  refresh- 
ments. Before  we  were  done  eating,  the  enemy  opened  their  batteries 
upon  us  most  furiously. 

Just  at  this  time  I  received  a  message  from  General  Hebert,  inform- 
ing me  that  he  was  unable  to  take  the  field,  and  that  the  command  of 
the  division  would  devolve  upon  me  ;  in  a  few  minutes  I  received  an 
order  from  General  Price  placing  me  in  command. 

The  command  of  the  third  brigade  now  devolved  upon  Colonel 
Moore  of  the  forty- third  Mississippi  regimcLt. 

At  the  time  of  assuming  command  1  found  the  brigades  placed  as 
follows  :  the  third  brigade  on  the  left  of  General  Phifer,  its  left  rest- 
ing near  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad  ;  fir.st  brigade  (Colonel  Gates) 
•on  its  left,  fronting  the  railroad  ;  the  fourth  brigade  (Colonel  McLean) 
.on  its  left ;  and  the  second  brigade  (Colonel  Col)berl)  in  reserve.  I 
immediately  sent  for  the  second  brigade  and  placed  it  in  line  where 
«the  third  was,  and  held  the  third  in  reserve.  In  this  position  we 
skirmished  for  a  short  time  with  the  enemy.  Receiving  word  from 
Colonel  McLean  (commanding  fourth  brigade)  that  there  was  danger 
of  his  left  being  tu^§lcd  by  tiie  enemy,  and  that  if  attempted 
he  would  be  unable  to  prevent  it,  I  ordered  the  second  to  move  to"  the 
left  of  the  fourth,  placing  the  third  in  its  original  position.  I  then 
ordered  a  forward  movement,  directing  the  second  and  fourth  to  move 
forw.u'd  in  echelon,  throwing  the  left  forward  so  as  to  come  to  a  charge 
at  the  same  time  <Pf  the  night. 

At  the  time  I  ordered  the  forward  movement  I  sent  for  reinforce- 
ments, believing  that  we  would  need  them,  for  I  could  see  the  enemy 
had  two  lines  of  fortifications  bristling  with  artillery  and  strongly 
supported  by  infantry.  Our  lines  moved  across  the  railroad,  advan- 
cing slowly  and  steadily,  our  skirmishers  constantly  fighting  with 
those  of  the  enemy,  driving  them  back,  AVhen  within  two  hundred 
yards  the  command  Avas  ordered  to  charge  at  a  double  quick.  The 
whole  line  now  moved  forward  with  great  rapidity.     Officers  and,  men 


47 

all  seemed  eager  to  be  foremost  in  reaching  the  fortifications,  but  it 
■R-as  a  hard  road  to  travel,  climbing  over  logs,  brush  and  fallen  timber, 
while  masked  batteries  of  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  at  almost  every 
step  with  great  slaughter,  but  nothing  daunted,  the  divisions  pressed 
forward.  The  first  brigade  (Colonel  Gates  commanding)  arriving  at 
the  fortifications  drove  the  enemy  from  their  entrenchments,  taking 
about  forty  pieces  of  artillery.  -  The  fourth  and  second  brigades 
having  worse  roads,  and  the  distance  being  greater,  only  a  portion  of 
them  were  able  to  reach  the  entrenchments,  and  the  left  being  in 
danger  of  being  out-flanked,  fell  back.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Maupin, 
of  the  first  Missouri  cavalry,  (serving  as  infantry,)  fell  while  gallantly 
leading  his  regiment  in  the  charge  on  the  enemy's  fortifications,  bear- 
ing his  regimental  colors.  Colonel  Moore  I  fear  was  mortally  wounded 
while  leading  the  third  brigade  on  a  charge  in  town  ;  he  fell  near  the 
depot  and  was  left  on  the  field. 

Colonel  McLean  commanding  fourth  brigade  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  charge.  Major  McQuiddy,  who  was  wounded  on  the  day  before 
in  the  arm,  but  would  not  leave  his  command,  (third  Missouri  cavalry,) 
was  severely  w^oundcd  in  the  thigh.  Major  Yates  of  the  thirty-sixth 
Mississippi  was  also  wounded,  as  was  also  Colonel  Pritchard,  of  the 
third  Missouri  infantry.  Reinforcements  again  being  sent  for,  Gene- 
ral Cabell  came  up  with  his  brigade,  but  before  he  could  get  to  the 
fortifications.  Colonel  Gates'  ammunition  was  exhausted  and  he  fell 
back.  The  fire  then  became  terrific.  General  Cabell  was  unable  to 
retake  the  fortifications,  and  the  whole  line  fell  back  on  the  hill,  in 
rear  of  the  batteries.  Here  I  received  orders  to  move  the  division 
back  on  the  hill  beyond  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad.  Before 
reaching  that  point,  I  received  an  order  to  continue  the  march  until 
further  orders. 

We  encamped  early  in  the  evenin'g  on  the  right  of  the  road  opposite." 
Sunday  morning  I  was  ordered  to  resume  the  march,  marching  in  the 
rear  of  Gen.  Maury's  division.  Before  reaching  ihe  Hatchie,  I  received 
an  order  to  push  forward,  ''  that  General  Maury's  division  had  engaged 
the  enemy  on  the  Hatchie,  and  needed  assistance."  I  pushed  forward 
as  rapidly  as  the  men  could  posibly  travel ;  when  we  arrived,  however, 
we  found  General  Cabell's  force  falling  back  in  good  order  I  was 
ordered  to  form  on  the  left  of  a  road  in  a  field,  behind  the  fence.  We 
threw  out  skirmishers  who  soon  engaged  those  of  the  enemy,  and 
drove  them  back.  The  fourth  brigade  came  upon  a  body  of  the 
enemy's  skirmishers,  charged  and  repulsed  them.  We  here  lay  still 
for  about  a  half  an  hour,  the  enemy  in  sight,  every  minute  expecting 
to  move  forward,  but,  instead,  we  received  orders  to  "fall  back,"  which 
we  did  without  any  interruption  of  the  enemy,  though  they  still  con- 
tinued throwing  shell  as  they  had  been  doing  all  the  time  ;  hero  I  had 
three  or  four  men  slightly  v>^ounded.  I  was  then  ordered  to  move  my 
division  out  on  the  "  Bone  Yard  road."  At  the  crossing  of  the  Hatchie 
I  received  orders  to  proceed  to  the  Ripley  road,  and  bivouack  for  the 
night,  which  I  did  in  line  along  the  road  toward  Pocahontas,  throwing 
out  pickets  to  give  notice  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  The  next 
morning  I  resumed  the  march  in  good  order  towards  Ripley.     During 


48 

the  fight  and  on  the  retreat,  both  officers  and  soldiers  have  shown 
themselves  as  brave  as  the  most  sanguine  couhl  desire.  All  did  their 
duty  well,  and  were  I  to  particularize  I  would  not  know  where  to  begin. 
I  cannot,  however,  refrain  from  acknowledging  my  obligations  to  Cap- 
tain Wm.  B.  Pittraan,  for  his  promptness  in  carrying  an  order  through 
the  field  when  the  very  atmosphere  seemed  filled  with  shot,  shell, 
grape  and  canister;  also  to  Major  Theo.  Johnson,  who  acted  as  volun- 
tary aid.  and  who  conveyed  orders  with  great  dispatch  through  the 
hottest  firing,  regardless  of  danger.  \ 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

MARTIN  E.  GREEN,    • 
Brigadier  General,  Commanding  Division. 
October  19  th,  1862. 


REPRJRT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  CABELL,  OF  THE 
PART  TAKEN  BY  HIS  BRIGADE  IN  THE  ACTION  AT 
AND  NEAR  CORINTH,  ON  THE  3D,  4TH  AND  oTH 

INSTANTS. 


Headquaters  Cabell's  Btigade,      ) 
Maury's  Division,  October  10th,   1863.  S 

To  Cap  rain  Flowerree, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Maurtfs  Division  : 

C.'.PTALN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  part  taken  by  my  corau):ind 
in  the  engagements  before  Corinth,  on  the  third  and  fouvth,  and  at 
the  Hatchie  bridge,  on  the  fifth  instant. 

My  brigade  consisted  of  the  eighteenth,  nineteenth,  twentieth  and' 
twenty-first  Arkansas  regiments,  Joncd'  battalion  of  Arkansas  volun- 
teers,  Baploy's   battalion  of  sharpshooters   and   the   Appeal   hatrery, 
ander   Lioutcnant   Hogg.     The^^e   regiments  v.ere   small,    making  an 
aggregate  of  (1,367.)  thirteen  hund-.-cd  and  sixty-seven  effective  men. 
On  the  third  inst.,  in  obedience  to  orders  from  Brigadier  Geaeral  Maury, 
comiiiand'ug  division,  my  brigade,  after  crossing  the  Mississipi»i  and 
Charl.'isron   railroad,  was   held  in   rel^erve  to  support  the  brigades  of 
Gent'rals  Moore  anil  Phifer,  that  was  ordered  to  advance  and  attack 
the  enemy.     I  remained  within  supporting  distance  af  the  two  l)rigade» 
■with   v^y  whole  brigade   until   half  past   three   o'clock,    when    1   was 
'Ordered  to  scud  two  regiments  to  support  General  Moore  on  the  right. 
I  sent,  at  oiice,   the   nineteenth    Arkansas  regiment,   under   Colonels 
Docke},  and  the  twentieth  Arkansas,  under  Colontl  11.  P.  Jot  nson, 
who   became,  after  arriving   on   the   field   of  battle,  quickly  engaged 
yrh\i  the  enemy,  driving  the  enersy   before  them  with  great  loss ;  our 
loss  being  small,  not  over  five  killed  and  ten  wounded  in  each  legi- 
ment.     After  these  regiments  had  been  sent  off,  I  received  an  order 
from   the   division   commander   to    move,   yfiih  the  remainder  of  my 
brigade,  to   the   support  of  General    Phifer.     This   order  was  obeyed  i 
promptly.   After  airing  on  the  field  1  foun<l  General  Phifer's,  brigade, 
although  much  exhausted  from  heat  and  dust,  had  driven  the  enemy 
■within   less   than    (8'tO)   eight  hundred    yards   of   the  r  breastworks- 
around  the  city  of  Corinth.     I  immediately  formed  my  line  of  battle,, 
tin  ew  my  skirmisners  to  the  front  and  engaged  .the  enemy's  skirmishers^ . 
■which   enabled   General   Phifer  to  withdraw  his   brigade.     After  his- 
brigade  had  been  "withdrawn,  I  advanced  with  my  skirmishers,  fighting 
4 


50 

the  enemy  as  far  as  I  deemed  it  prudent  with  the  small  force  I  leaci. 
I  therefore  contented  myself  with  holding  the  position  I  had,  and 
watching  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  i;iy  skirmishers  in  the  mean- 
time keeping  up  a  brisk  fire  with  the  enemy's  sharpshooters.  I  am 
confident  they  did  terrible  execution  with  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  I 
then  captured  two  fine  ambulances  and  nine  prisoners  ;  the  enemy 
during  this  time  kept  up  a  constant  fire  of  grape  and  canister,  which, 
although  furious,  did  but  little  harm,  as  my  loss  was  only  two  privates 
killed  and  five  wounded.  I  was  here  struck  myself  on  the  foot  with 
a  spent  Minnie  ball,  which  gave  me  a  great  deal  of  pain  at  the  time, 
but  did  not  disable  me.  About  sundown,  after  the  enemy  had  drawn 
all  their  infantry  and  artillery  inside  the  inner  works,  I  received  an 
order  to  report,  with  my  brigade,  to  General  Hebert,  on  the  extreme 
left,  to  guard  the  crossing  of  a  road  leading  from  the  Purdy  road 
across  to  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad.  I  reported,  as  directed,  to 
General  llobert,  who  gave  me  the  necessary  instructions,  and  ordered  me 
(by  the  consent  of  General  Armstrong)  to  retain  a  section  of  King's 
artillery  and  Colonel  McCulloch's  regiment  of  cavalry.  After  making 
fluch  a  disposition  of  the  forces  under  my  command,  placing  out  my 
pickets  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  protect  our  left 
from  a  Hank  movement  of  the  enemy,  I  remained  there  until  seven 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  fourth,  when  I  was  ordered  by  General  Ilebert 
to  move  up  and  report  to  General  Green,  to  whom  he  had  (being  sick) 
turned  over  the  command  of  the  division.  I  moved  up,  as  ordered, 
and  reported  to  General  Green,  who  ordered  me  to  remain  in  support- 
ing distance  of  his  bridgade,  at  the  same  time  informing  me  that 
I  would  be  subject  to  orders  from  my  own  division  comn»ander. 
Brigadier  General  Maury.  A  short  time  had  elapsed  before  I  received 
an  order  from  General  Maury  to  move  as  near  General  IMiifer  as  I 
could,  taking  advantage  of  the  ground  to  protect  my  men  from  a 
terrific  fire  of  artillery,  which  I  was  exposed  to  from  a  battery  of 
the  enemy  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad.  I 
placed  my  brigade  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  protecting  them  as  much  as 
possible  from  this  furious  discharge  of  grape,  canister  and  sholl,  that 
was  kept  up  without  a  moment's  cessation,  sufficient  to  demoralize  any 
troops  except  such  as  the  troops  which  composed  my  brigade.  This  was 
within  less  than  (700)  seven  hundred  yards  of  the  breastworks  and 
the  town  of  Corinth,  where  the  first  Missouri  brigade,  under  Colonel. 
Gates,  was  hotly  engaged.  About  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  received 
an  order  from  GeneralMaury,  delivered  by  Captain  Flowcrree,  Adjutant 
•General,  to  moverapidly  tothe  support  of  Colonel  Gates,  who  had  entered 
the  enemy's  breastworks  and  could  not  hold  it  for  the  want  of  ammuni- 
tion. This  order  was  received  with  a  shout  by  the  whole  brigade,  who 
had  stood  this  terrible  cannona;ling  for  more  than  an  hour.  Imme- 
diately after  receiving  the  order,  I  moved  by  the  left  flank,  at  double 
quick,  until  I  crossed  the  Moble  and  Ohio  railroad.  After  crossing  the 
railroad,  through  a  terrible  fire  of  artillery,  I  faced  to  the  front  and 
moved  on  the  enemy's  works,  the  left  in  the  open  field  and  the  right 
and  centre  through  a  skirt  of  woods  about  fifty  yards  wide,  expecting 
'40  find  the  Missouri  brigade.     This  brigade  had,  however,  fallen  back 


31 

taking  a  road  on  my  extreme  right.  Instead  of  meeting  the  Missouri 
brigade  as  I  had  been  informed  I  would,  1  found  the  enemy  in  line  of 
battle  just  outside  of  the  timber,  and  about  three  hundred  yards  in 
front  of  the  breastworks.  My  left  became  engaged  at  once,  after 
facing  to  the  front,  and  the  whole  line  in  a  few  minutes  afterwards, 
when  I  gave  word  "  charge."  As  soon  as  the  command  was  given, 
the  whole  line  moved  at  double-quick,  almost  as  one  man,  shout- 
ing "  Butler,"  and  driving  them  until  they  reached  the  crest  of  the 
enemy's  breastworks,  where  a  greater  force  than  I  had  driven  in 
sprang  up,  delivering  a  tremendous  volley  in  the  very  faces  of  a 
greater  part  of  my  whole  line,  which  was  at  that  time  subject  to  fire, 
from  the  left  front  of  the  bastion  near  the  college,  as  well  as  to  the 
artillery  fire  from  the  battery  on  the  south  side  of  the  railroad,  and 
on  the  left  of  the  work  charged.  A  part  of  the  twentieth  Arkansas 
regiment,  under  Colonel  Johnson,  went  over  the  works  inside  of 
Corinth.  The  numbers  of  the  enemy  being  so  great  in  front,  at  the 
same  time  being  exposed  to  such  a  dreadful  cross  fire  of  musketry 
and  artillfery  on  my  flanks  and  rear,  that  my  men  were  compelled  to 
fall  back  with  a  very  heavy  loss  of  killed  and  wounded  pfliicers  and 
men. 

The  courage  and  daring  of  my  men,  who  shot  the  enemy  down  ia 
their  trenches,  is  beyond  all  praise;  the  ground  in  front  of  the  breast- 
works was  literally  covered  with  the  dead  and  wounded  of  both  triend 
and  foe,  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  enemy  being  nearly,  if  not 
fully,  two  to  one.  Those  left  presented  the  appearance  of  men  nearly 
whipped,  and  convinced  me  that  it  was  nothing  but.  their  reinforce- 
ments and  superior  numbers  that  kept  them  from  a  total  rout.  My 
loss,  in  officers  especially,  was,  I  regret  to  say,  very  great  at  this  time  ; 
a  great  many,  both  ofiicers  and  privates,  were  wounded  and  taken 
prisoners.  I  lost  here  three  brave  and  valuable  field  officers  killed — 
Colonel  H.  P.  Johnson  and  Major  Dane  W.  Jones,  20th  Arkansas 
regiment,  and  Major  Dowdle,  21st  Arkansas,  and  Colonel  Daly,  18th 
Arkansas,  mortally  wounded,  (since  dead.)  Lieut.  Colonel  Matheny, 
21st  Arkansas,  wounded.  Captain  Lynch,  18th  Arkansas,  and  Capt. 
Atkins,  Ilapley's  battali  )n,  two  gallant  officers,  were  killed.  [A  list 
of  the  killed  and  wounded  has  been  furnished.]  Col.  Cravens,  2l8t 
Arkansas,  acted  nobly  and  had  his  horse  shot  under  him.  Colonel 
Dockey,  Lieut.  Col  Disunke,  Lieut.  Col.  Fletcher,  Mnjor  Williams 
and  ^lajor  Wilson  distinguished  themselves  by  their  gallantry  and 
daring ;  also.  Captain  Ashford,  who  commanded  the  battalion  of 
sharpshooters,  (Major  Rapley  being  absent,  sick.)  After  being  re- 
pulsed by  an  overwhelming  force,  I  received  an  order  to  fall  back  with 
what  was  left  of  my  brigade,  with  the  remainder  of  the  army,  which 
I  did,  taking  all  the  kapsacks  and  blankets  I  could  with  me  to  tho 
camp  on  Chewalla,  on  the  south-side  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
Railroad,  where  we  remained  until  the  morning  of  the  5th,  I  only 
numbered,  all  told,  on  the  morning  of  the  5th,  previous  to  marching 
to  Davis'  Bridge,  across  the  Hatchie  river,  five  hundred  and  fifty  (550) 
men.  Mine  was  the  rear  brigade  in  the  division,  and  was,  owing  to 
the  order  of  march  of  that  day,  some  distance  in  rear  of  the  advanco 


0.i 


brigade,  which  became  engaged  with  a  greatly  superior  force  of  tho 
enemy  immediately  after  crossing  the  Ilatchie  river.  When  the  can- 
nonading was  first  heard  in  front,  I  was  then  crossing  the  Tuscurabia 
river,  a  distance  of  five  miles.  I  received  an  order  from  General 
Maury,  while  crossing  the  river,  to  move  rapidly  to  the  front  to  the 
support  of  General  Moore.  I  moved  forward,  then,  as  lapidly  as  pos- 
sible, at  the  double-quick  most  of  the  way,  until  I  reached  the  field  of 
battle,  which  was  then  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  and  where  Gen. 
Phifer's  brigade,  with  ray  battery  of  artillery,  which  I  had  sent  ia 
the  advance,  was  hotly  engaged  with  the  enemy.  I  immediately,  after 
ascertaining  th?  position  of  the  enemy,  formed  line  of  battle,'  and 
placed  my  line  on  the  right  of  Gen.  Thifer's  brigade.  The  enemy 
opene  fire  on  us  at  once  ;  we  replied  instantly  and  continued  to  keep 
up  a  perfect  musketry  duol  for  about  an  hour,  when  I  found  my  cart- 
ridges giving  out.  1  immediately  is.-ued  about  ten  (10)  rounds  of 
cartridges  to  the  men  and  renewed  the  fire,  which  was  contiued  until 
the  enemy  ceased  firing,  (except  their  skirmishers,)  and  my  cartridges 
fcad  given  out.  I  sent  word  to  Gen.  Maury  that  my  ammunition  had 
given  out.  and  that  I  could  only  hope  to  hohl  the  ground  with  the  bayo- 
i;et  should  ?he  enemy's  cavalry  attempt  to  ch:irge  u;^.  Gen.  Maury 
then  ordered  me  to  fall  back  to  the  timber  and  get  ammunition.  After 
receiving  this  order,  I  withdrew  my  men  in  good  order  with  a  loss  of 
not  more  than  two  killed  and  eigh-  wounded,  a  thing  unprecedented, 
considering  the  obstinac}  of  the  fight  that  had  been  going  on  for 
cearlj'  an  hour  and  a  half.  While  withdrawing  my  men,  my  horse, 
who  had  become  very  frantic,  fell  on  me  and  injured  my  thigh  and 
Lip  very  i-eriously,  completely  paral}'zing  my  left  leg.  I,  however, 
formed  my  line  and  gave  the  command  of  the  few  that  were  left  to 
Col.  Dockcj,  as!  was  unable  to  walk.  In  this  action,  as  well  as  in 
the  engagements  of  Fjiday  and  Saturday,  I  cannot  particularize. 
Every  ollicer  and  man  seemed  willing  and  anxious  to  meet  the  enemy, 
and  the  daring  and  gallant  charge  made  on  the  enemy's  breastworks, 
and  the  obstinacy  with  wh'.ch  they  stood  in  an  open  field  aud  fought 
the  enemy  partly  concealed  in  the  woods,  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  at 
Ilatchie  river,  will  bear  testimony  to  the  fact  and  give  them  a  just 
claim  to  the  admiration  and  gratitu<le  of  their  State  and  country,  and 
will  cause  them  to  mingle  their  tears  with  the  survivors'  for  the  heroes 
ioho  have  fallen.  My  personal  staff',  Major  John  King,  Adjutant 
General;  Captain  Balfour,  Inspector  General,  and  Lieut.  Marshall 
llairston,  A,  D  C,  were  all  distinguished  for  their  daring  and 
bravery.  1  am  under  many  obligations  for  the  promptness  with 
which  ihey  assisted  me  in  every  engagement.  Also,  to  my  volunteer 
aids,  Lieut,  ^hepperd  and  Mr.  Templeman,  who  were  conspicuous  for 
dating  and  gallantry  in  every  engagement,  under  every  fire.  Major 
Hooper,  Brigade  Quartermaster,  and  Major  Smith,  Brigade  Commis- 
aary,  as  well  as  the  Surgeons  of  the  whob.  brigade,  deserve  my  espe- 
cial thanks  for  the  zeal  and  energy  displayed  in  the  field  and  every- 
where during  the  whole  expedition. 

To  Captain  Burnett,  Chief  of  Artillery  ;  Lieut.  Hogg,  commanding 
Appeal  Battery,  with  his  oflBcers  and  men,  deserve  especial  notice  for 


53 


the  skill  and  efficiency  with  which  thej  handled  the  battery  and  poured 
the  shot  and  shell  into  the  enemy's  ranks. 

Before  closing,  I  must  return  my  sincere  thanks  to  the  officers  and 
men  who  have  survived,  for  the  promptness,  daring  and  cheerfulness 
with  which  they  have  executed  every  order,  and  ask  them  never  to 
forget  the  daring  and  heroism  of  the  noble  dead.  Arkansas,  though 
for  a  time  cast  in  gloom  for  her  lost  sons,  can  look  with  pride  to  the 
daring  and  gallantry  of  her  sons  and  console  herself  with  the  happy 
thought  that  her  soldiers  are  equal  to  any  and  second  to  none  amongst 
those  who  are  battling  for  Southern  independence. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  L.  CABELL, 
Brigadier  General  Commanding  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  BRIG.  GFN.  MOORE  OF  THE  ACTIONS  OF  THE 
3D,  4TH  AND  5T11  INSTANTS. 


Headquarters  Moore's  Brigade,  Army  of  the  West,  i 

Camp    at  Lvmpkbt''s    Mill,  > 

Near  Holly  Springs,   October    13th,  1862.      ) 

Captain  I).  W.  Flowerree, 

A.  A.   General: 

Sin  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  part 
taken  by  this  brigade  in  the  action  on  the  3d,  4th  and  5th  instants. 

This  brigade  was  composed  of  the  following  regiments,  to-wit:  2d 
Texas,  Colonel  W.  P.  Rogers ;  Lyle's  Arkansas  regiment,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Pennington  ;  Boone's  Arkansas  regiment,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Boone  ;  35th  Mississippi  regiment,  Colonel  Wm.  L.  Barry ;  42d  Ala- 
lama  regiment,  Colonel  John  W.  Portis  ;  Bledsoe's  battery,  Captain  II. 
M.  Bledsoe,  making  five  regiments  and  one  battery;  total  eflfective 
Btrength  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety-two  (1892)  about. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d,  we  formed  in  line  of  battle  near  the  road 
leading  from  Pocahontas  to  Corinth,  and  distant  about  one  half  mile 
from  the  enemy's  outer  works.  Our  brigade  here  occupied  the  right 
of  the  line  formed  by  Maury's  division,  our  right  resting  on  the  Mo- 
bile and  Ohio  railroad  and  Lovell's  forces  on  our  right  beyond  the 
road.  Soon  Lovell's  forces  engaged  the  enemy  and  our  brigade  was 
ordered  forward  across  a  corn  field  to  their  support,  with  instructions  to 
halt  on  reaching  the  timber  on  the  opposite  side  and  await  further  or- 
.ders.  On  reaching  the  point  designated,  a  part  of  the  2d  Texas  and 
cue  company  of  the  35th  IMississippi  were  thrown  forward  as  skirm- 
ishers, and  at  once  engaged  the  enemy's  sharp  shooters,  when  they 
were  driven  back  within  their  entrenchments.  "We  here  lost  a  few  men 
and  Major  W.  C.  Simmons,  commanding  the  skirmishers,  was  woun- 
ded. We  were  now  ordered  forward  to  assault  the  enemy's  works. 
We  advanced  in  a  well  preserved  line  of  battle,  considering  the  diffi- 
culties of  the  ground,  and  on  reaching  the  fallen  timber,  in  front  of  the 
enemy's  entrenchments,  we  charged  and  carried  the  works  with  but  lit- 
tle opposition,  except  on  our  left,  where  the  42d  Alabama  was  exposed 
to  a  heavy  fire,  though  their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  but  eight 
or  ten,  including  one  officer.  'This  regiment  advanced  with  remarka- 
ble steadiness,  this  being  their  first  engagement.  Advancing  about 
one-fourth  of  a  mile  we  were  halted  to  form  a  junction  with  Lovell's 


55 

forces,  now  on  our  right,  which  we  failed  to  do.  Our  skirmishers 
again  soon  engaged  the  enemy  and  were  driven  back  on  our  line,  which 
led  to  a  severe  but  short  engagement,  in  which  we  soon  routed  the 
enemy  and  drove  them  from  their  position.  Here  an  unfortunate  mis- 
take was  committed,  the  42d  Alabama  firing  on  our  skirmishers,  mis- 
taking them  for  the  enemy,  and  killing  and  wounding  several  officers 
and  men.  At  this  time  a  heavy  cannonading  was  kept  up  at  some  dis- 
tance to  our  right  from  a  strong  work  of  the  enemy  about  two  hundred 
yards  south  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad.  Being  now  re- 
inforced by  Colonel  Johnson's  and  Colonel  Dockey's  Arkansas  regi- 
ments we  changed  direction  to  the  right,  and  throwing  forward  the  left 
wing,  moved  in  the  direction  of  the  firing.  We  soon  reached  the  rail- 
road, having  our  line  nearly  parallel  to  it,  and  in  crossing,  the  enemy 
opened  on  us  a  most  terrific  fire  from  the  brow  of  a  hill  not  more  than 
seventy-five  yards  distant.  The  enemy  opposed  to  us  with  a  heavy 
force,  being  formed  in  two  lines,  the  front  lying  on  the  ground  aud  the 
other  firing  over  them.  This  awful  fire  staggered  us  but  for  a  moment, 
and  as  soon  as  our  line  was  steadied  a  little,  we  charged,  drove  them 
from  the  position  and  carried  their  works,  capturing  a  few  prisoners 
and  taking  a  large  camp  with  their  supplies  of  commissary  and  quar- 
termaster stores.  On  discovering  our  approach  the  enemy  removed 
and  saved  their  guns.  This  we  found  to  be  a  strong  work  in  a  firm 
position,  and  well  constructed.  From  the  position,  we  judged  this  to 
be  the  point  from  which  a  cannonading  had  been  kept  up  during  the 
<iay. 

Being  now  separated  from  our  division,  and  night  approaching,  (it 
being  between  three  and  four  o'clock,)  we  dispatched  Lieutenat 
McFarland  to  report  to  General  Maury  our  success,  and  ask  for  or- 
ders. In  the  course  of  half  an  hour.  General  Lovell  and  staif  came 
up,  and,  on  consultation,  we  agreed  to  form  a  line  of  battle  perpen- 
dicular to  the  railroad,  our  left  resting  on  the  road,  and  advance  to- 
wards Corinth.  In  about  an  hour  his  forces  came  up,  and  moved  to. 
our  right.  At  about  dusk,  while  awaiting  for  a  notification  from  Gen- 
eral Lovell  to  advance,  which  he  said  he  would  give  when  ready,  we 
received  orders  from  General  Maury  to  rejoin  the  division  and  take 
position  on  Phifer's  right,  which  brought  us  on  the  hill  in  sight  of 
Corinth,  about  an  hour  and  a  half  after  dark,  where  we  slept  on  our 
arms  until  morning. 

At  early  dawn,  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  our  batteries  having  been, 
placed  in  front  of  our  lines,  to  open  fire  on  Corinth,  the  brigade  was 
moved  by  the  left  flank  and  placed  in  rear  of  Phifer's,  sheltered  by 
timber  in  front.  When  the  firing  from  the  batteries  ceased,  Ave  moved! 
forward  and  took  position  obliquely  to  the  right  and  front  of  Phifer's. 
Our  skirmishers  were  again  thrown  forward,  and  kept  up  a  sharp  en- 
gagement with  the  enemy  until  about  ten  o'clock.  We  had  been  pre- 
viously notified  by  General  Maury  that  we  would  advance  when  He- 
bert's  division  made  the  attack  on  our  left — our  brigade  being  sup-- 
ported  by  Cabell's  on  the  right  and  Phifer's  on  the  left.  About  tea. 
o'clock  the  firing  on  our  left  became  heavy,  and  we  at  once  gave  the 
command,  "  forward,"  sending  Lieutenant  McFarland  to  notifj  Gen- 


56 

eral  Maury  of  our  advance  movement.  We  had  not  gone  one  hun- 
dred yaids  before  the  enemy  seemed  to  discover  our  designs,  and  at 
once  opened  upon  us  and  kept  up  the  severest  fire  I  ever  iraa;iincd 
possible  to  concentrate  on  one  point  in  front  of  a  fortification.  Yet 
■we  suffered  but  little,  Seing  protected  by  the  timber,  until  we  reached 
the  fallen  timber  and  open  space  which  extended  about  one  hundred 
yards  in  front  of  their  works. 

On  reaching  this  point  we  charged  and  carried  the  enemy's  woiks, 
the  whole  extent  of  our  line,  and  ''penetrated  to  the  very  hearr  of 
of  Corinth,"  driving  the  enemy  from  house  to  house,  and  frequently 
firing  in  at  the  windows  and  driving  them  out.  The  enemy  were 
driven  from  the  breastworks,  in  great  confusion,  leaving  their  guns, 
8ome  with  the  teams  still  hitched,  while  others  had  their  horses  cut 
loose  and  ran  off.  Our  men  brought  off  two  or  three  horses  which  they 
found  hitched  in  the  streets  near  the  Corinth  House,  their  owners  be- 
ing absent  The  42d  Alabama,  from  their  position  in  line,  were 
brou.'ht  in  front  of  a  strong  bastion,  the  walls  of  which  they  found 
too  high  to  scale,  but  rushing  to  the  embrasures  they  fired  three  or 
four  volleys,  driving  the  enemy  from  their  guns,  and  then  entering  the 
works,  mounted  the  parapet  and  planted  their  flag  on  the  walls.  After 
entering  the  works  we  found  ourselves  opposed  by  an  overwhelming 
force,  and  being  without  support  and  our  line  being  broken  and  dis- 
ordered in  the  assault,  we  had  no  alternative  but  to  fall  back,  which 
was  done.  Our  loss  in  this  assault  was  very  severe.  Three  of  the 
five  regimental  commanders  were  either  killed  or  wounded.  I  can  bear 
testimony  to  the  coolness  and  gallantry  with  which  our  men  and  oflS- 
cers  made  this  assault.  I  do  not  believe  that  any  troops  ever  displayed 
greater  courage  in  so  desperate  a  charge.  This  was  our  last  engage- 
ment in  the  vicinity  of  Corinth.  Our  division  being  reformed  we  fell 
back  on  the  road  to  Pocahontas  and  biouvackedipr  the  night.  At  an 
early  hour,  on  the  morning  of  the  oth  instant,  our  brigade  was  or- 
dered to  the  front  to  act  as  an  advanced  guard,  when  within  two  or 
three  miles  of  Davis'  bridge,  across  ILitchie,  we  received  orders  to 
push  forward,  cross  the  bridge,  form  a  line  of  battle  on  the  right  of  the 
road,  and  then  advance,  take  and  hold  the  heights  of  Matamoras, 
which  command  the  crossing  at  Davis'  bridge.  We  pushed  forward 
with  all  possible  dispatch,  but  the  men  being  greatly  exhausted  and 
weak  for  the  want  of  food,  and  the  previous  two  day's  hard  marching 
.and  service,  when  we  reached  the  crossing  and  formed  line  we  did  not 
jhave  more  than  250  or  3l)()  men  in  ranks.  We  formed  on  the  right, 
•opposite  the  battery  established  by  Maj.  Burnett  on  the  left  of  the 
road.  As  we  filed  off  to  the  right,  the  enemy's  batteries  opened  on 
08  from  the  hill  at  Matamoras.  The  2d  Texas  being  in  the  rear  was 
cut  ofi"  by  the  fire,  and  did  not  form  in  line  with  the  other  regiments. 
Our  position  was  now  in  a  narrow  strip  of  woods,  with  open  fieMs  in 
front  and  rear,  that  in  front  extending  up  to  the  enemy's  position. 
We  had  been  ordered  to  advaticfe  with  oui?  left  on  the  road,  which  would 
have  carried  us  through  the  open  fields  up  to  the  very  muzzles  of  the 
•  enemy's  guns. 

Being  now  satisfied  that  the  hill  was   occupied  in  force,  and  to  ad- 


57 

vance  with  our  small  force  would  only  prove  its  total  annihilation,  we 
dispatched  Lieutenant  McFarland  to  the  rear  for  reinforcements,  and 
to  report  to  the  Commanding  General  that  we  not  only  could  not  ad- 
vance, but  we  thought  we  coufd  not  hold  our  pre-ent  position  long 
without  assistance. 

During  thivS  time  the  enemy  continued  to  pour  a  heavy  fire  into  the 
battery  and  woods  <iccupied  by  our  line,  in  which  we  lost  several  men 
killed  and  wounded.  The  batteries  being  soon  withdrawn,  the  enemy 
soon  gave  us  their  whole  attention,  but  we  still  held  our  position  until 
they  reached  our  left  flank  and  poured  into  us  a  most  destructive  fire. 
This  threw  our  line  into  some  confusion  ;  but,  rallying,  we  moved  to  the 
left,  faced  the  enemy  and  opened  on  them. 

We  had  not  fired  more  than  two  or  three  rounds  before  a  perfect 
shower  of  balls  was  poured  into  our  right  flank  from  the  direction  of 
the  corn  field  which  was  at  first  our  front.  I  am  satisfied  that  this  fire 
came  from  a  line  which  had  been  previously  formed  in  the  field,  and 
had  been  concealed  by  lying  down  in  the  grass  and  corn.  We  now 
saw  that  we  must  either  fall  back  or  be  surrounded.  The  order  was 
given  and  the  bridge  being  now  swept  by  the  enemy's  fire,  the  men 
crossed  at  such  points  of  the  stream  as  they  found'to  be  most  conve- 
nient. In  crossing,  many  of  them  lost  their  guns.  This  manner 
of  crossing  caused  the  men  to  become  much  scattered,  but  as 
they  were  collected,  they  joined  Cabeirs  and  Phifer's  brigades 
and  continued  the  fight.  Our  loss  at  the  bridge  was  consid- 
erable, making  the  entire  loss  of  the  brigade  during  the  three  days' 
fight,  very  heavy,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  accompanying  report.  It  is 
impossible  at  present  to  make  an  accurate  report  of  the  killed,  wounded 
and  missing  in  battle,  as  the  35th  Mississippi  dispersed  after  the  fight 
at  Davis'  bridge,  there  being  now  present  some  forty  men,  and  one 
line  officer,  Lieutenant  Henry.  From  the  best  information  we  can 
obtain  wc  are  assured  that  many  of  the  officers  and  men  have  gone  to 
their  homes.  This  conduct  on  their  part  is  astonishing  and  unaccount- 
able, for  the  regiment  acted  nobly  and  did  good  service  during  the 
three  days'  fighting.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  their  commander,  Col- 
onel Barry  was  not  present,  he  having  been  sent  to  Corinth,  under  flag 
of  truce  te  bury  the  dead.  He  is  a  gallant  and  efficient  officer,  of 
whom  his  State  may  well  be  proud. 

Without  a  single  exception,  to  our  knowledge,  the  officers  one  and 
all  did  their  duty  nobly  during  the  severe  engagements.  If  I  mention 
one  in  this  connection  I  must  mention  all  or  do  injustice.  Corporal 
J.  A.  Going,  of  the  42d  Alabama,  deserves  particular  notice.  He  was 
color-bearer,  and  though  once  shot  down,  he  gallantly  bore  the  flag 
through  the  fight  on  the  4  th.  w 

Private  Morgan,  of  Co.  H,  Boone's  regiment,  is  reported  as  having 

acted  with  great  gallantry.     The  flag  of  Lyle's  regiment  was  torn  into 

tatters  by  the  enemy's  shots,  and   when  last  seen,   the  color-bearer, 

Herbert  Sloane,  of  Co.  D,  was  going  over  the  breastworks,   waving  a 

"piece  over  his  head  and  shouting  for  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

I  am.  Captain,  very  respectfully,  your  ob't  ser't, 

■^       ^  ^  M.C.MOORE, 

Brigadier   General  Commanding  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COL.  W.  II.  JACKSON,  CHIEF  OF  CAVALRY, 
OF  OPERATIONS  OF  CAVALRY  BRIGADE  AT  THE  LATE 
BATTLE  AT  CORINTH. 


Headquarters  Cavlarv,  ) 

Army  of  Tennessee,  Watersford,  Nov.  18,  1862.  5 
To  Major  M.  M.  Kimmell, 

A.  A.  General  Army  of  West  Tenn.,  Abbeville,  3Iiss.  : 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  report  of  the  operations  of  my 
brigade  of  cavalrv,  (1st  ^lississippi  cavalry,  commanded  by  Lieut. 
Col.  F.  A.  Montgomery,  and  my  own  regiment,  commanded  by  Lieut. 
Col.  J.  G.  Stocks,)  at  the  late  battle  of  Corinth  and  retreat  from  that 
place. 

During  the  battle  my  brigade  wijs  divided;  sqa Irons  attached  to 
brigades  of  infantry  and  acting  on  the  flanks.  With  eight  companies 
I  made  a  reconnoisgance  south  of  Corinth,  engaged  the  enemy's  cavalry 
and  repulsed  them  in  gallant  style.  Returning,  I  advanced  the  com- 
mand to  the  fortifications  on  College  Hill,  where  I  engaged  the*  enemy 
in  force  after  the  main  body  of  our  troops  had  withdravrn.  I  then 
withdrew  my  command  without  serious  loss  and  brought  up  the  rear 
of  the  army.  I  was  then  ordered  to  Rienzi,  under  Gen.  Armstrong; 
received  orders  countermanding  that  move  on  our  arrival  at  Kossuth. 

The  firing  having  commenced  at  Davis'  Bridge,  near  Pocahontas, 
we  proceeded  with  both  commands  to  the  Ripley  and  Pocahontas  road ; 
advanced  up  that  rond  to  within  one  mile  and  a  half  of  Pocahontas, 
threatening  the  enemy's  rear,  engaging  them  in  a  brilliant  skirmish, 
which  was  a  move  very  favorable  towards  saving  the  train  of  wagons. 
I  held  that  position  all  night  with  my  brigade,  and  fell  back  before 
the  enemy  next  day.  From  that  time  the  brigade  was  engaged  in 
bringing  up  the  rear  of  the  army,  skirmishing  all  the  time  with  the 
enemy  to  Ripley. 

Owing  to  unavoidable  circumstances,  the  brigade  was  without  ra- 
tions for  three  days.  The  officers  and  men  all  .behaved  with  coolness 
and  gallantry,  and  suffered  all  the  hardships,  iricidcnt  to  the  march, 
with  a  spirit  worthy  of  good  soldiers.  Where  all  behaved  so  well,  it 
would  be  difficult  to  mention  by  name.  I  would  especially  notice, 
however,  Lieut.  Henry  ^.  Watkins,  company  A,  Jackson's  regiment 
cavalry;  also,  Corporal  Prochus  and  privates  Britton  and  Barton, 
company  C,  same  raaiment;  also,  Capt.  Gadi  Ilerron,  Lieut.  Cravens 
and  Lieut.  Foote,  Isf  regiment  Mississippi  cavalry.  The  latter  (Lieut. 
Foote)  engaged  the  enemy's  advance  and  checked  them  in  a  most 
gallant  manner.  The  report  from  Armstrong's  brigade  does -not  men- 
tion any  one  especially  by  name.  They  all  behaved  with  coolness  and 
gallantry. 

I  am,  Major,  with  high  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  H.  W.  JACKSON, 

Col.  and  Chief  of  Cavalry,  Army  West  Tenn. 


GENERAL  PRICE  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN, 


Headquarters  District  of  the  Tennessee,  ) 
Tupelo,  August  4,  1862.      ] 

Major  General  Earl  Van  Dorn, 

Commanding  District  of  the  Mississippi : 

General:  I  telegraphed  you  yesterday  that  dispatches  from  General 
Bragg  make  it  almost  impossible  for  me  to  reinforce  General  Breck- 
inridge, lie  says,  very  pointedly,  that  West  Tennessee  is  now  open 
to  my  array,  intimating  that  he  expected  me  to  enter  it;  and  I  do  not 
feel  at  liberty  to  disregard  such  an  intimation,  -when  I  consider  the 
very  important  relations  which  this  army  bears  to  that  in  East 
Tennessee.  I  cannot  get  possession  of  the  railroad  before  Thursday. 
It  will  then  take  at  least  a  week  to  transport  to  this  point  the  troops, 
etc.,  which  will  be  brought  hither  preparatory  to  a  forward  movement. 
I  regret  very  much  that  I  have  to  submit  to  this  unavoidable  delay, 
and  I  cannot  think  of  protracting  it,  except  under  compulsion  of  the 
greatest  necessity.  To  attempt  to  reinforce  General  Breckinridge 
■would  protract  it  indefinitely.  The  success  of  the  campaign  depends 
now  upon  the  promptness  and  boldness  of  our  movements,  and  the 
ability  which  we  may  manifest,  to  avail  ourselves  of  our  present 
advantages.  The  enemy  are  still  transporting  their  troops  from 
Corinth  and  its  vicinity  eastward.  They  will,  by  the  end  of  this 
week,  have  reduced  its  force  to  its  minimum.  We  should  be  quick  to 
take  advantage  of  this,  for  they  will  soon  begin  to  get  in  reinforce- 
ments under  the  late  call  for  volunteers.  The  present  obstructed 
condition:  -of  the  railroad  is  another  reason  for  instant  action.  In 
fact  every  consideration  makes  it  important  that  I  shall  move  forward 
without  a  day's  unnecessary  delay.  I  earnestly  desire  your  co- 
operation in  such  a  movement,  and  will,  as  I  have  before  said,  be  glad 
to  place  my  army  and  myself  under  your  command  in  that  contin- 
gency. The  very  names  of  yourself  and  General  Breckinridge  would 
bring  thousands  to  our  ranks,  and  carry  dismay  to  those  of  the  enemy. 
You  speak  in  your  dispatch  of  the  frightful  amount  of  sickness  in 
General  Breckinridge's  division.  I  fear  that  the  sweltering  heats  of 
this  latitude  will  soon  begin  to  tell  fearfully  upon  my  own  ranks,  and 
am,  for  that  reason,  the  more -anxious  to  take  them  northward,  where, 
too,  we  may  gain  accessions  from  those  Tennesseeans  and  Kentuckians 
who  have  seen  and  felt  the  wretchedness  of  Northern  domination. 


60 

Captain  Loughbrough  will  deliver  this  communication  to  you,  and 
explain   more   particularly  tbe  condition  of  things   in   this  Vicinity. 
Plerise  inform  me,  by  telegraph,  *  f  your  determination,  so  that  in  the 
event  of  its  being  favorabe,  we  may  concert  a  plan  of  operations. 
I  am,  General,  with  the  profoundest  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  STERLIKG  PRICE, 

Major  General. 
M.  M.  KiMMEL,  Major  aid  A.  A.  G. 


GENERAL  BRAGG  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 

IIeaoquvrtkrs  Department  No  2,      ) 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Aug.  11,  1862.  \ 

Major  General  E,  Van  Dorn, 

Commanding  Department  of  the  Mississippi : 

General  :  In  view  of  the  operations  from  here  it  is  very  desirable 
to  press  the  enemy  closely  in  West  Tennessee.  We  learn  their  forces 
there  are  being  rapidly  reduced,  and  when  our  movements  become 
known  it  is  certain  they  must  throw  more  forces  into  Middle  Tennes- 
see and  Kentucky  or  lose  those  regions.  If  you  hold  them  in  check, 
we  are  sure  of  success  here  ;  but  should  they  reinforce  here  so  as  to 
defy  UP,  then  you  may  redeem  West  Tennessee  and  probably  aid  us 
by  crossing  the  enemy's  rear. 

I  cannot  give  you  specific  instructions,  as  circumstances  and  mili- 
tary conditions  in  your  front  rnay  vary  materially  from  day  to  day. 
To  move  your  available  force  to  Holly  Springs  by  railroad,  thence 
into  West  Tennessee,  co-operating  with  General  Price,  who  will  move 
Boon  towards  Corinth  ;  or  to  move  to  Tupelo  by  rail  and  join  Price,  are 
suggestions  only.  Positive  instructions,  except  to  strike  at  the  most 
assailable  point,  cannot  be  given  when  so  little  is  known,  and  when 
circumstfinces  may  change  daily.  Of  course,  when  you  join  Price, 
your  rank  gives  you  command  of  the  Avhole  force.  I  enclose  a  copy 
of  Capt.  Jones'  inspection  report.  Many  of  the  points  in  it  require 
your  immediate  attention  :  1st.  Most  important  is  the  prompt  reduc- 
tion of  your  light  artillery.  You  have  enough  for  an  army  of  100,000 
men.  It  is  impossible  to  keep  it  all  up  and  be  effective.  To  keep  it 
all  ineffective  must  be  avoided.  Eight  batteries  of  four  (4)  guns  each 
is  ample  for  your  present  force.  As  you  cannnot  discharge  the  com- 
panies without  authority  from  the  War  Department,  I  suggest  that 
you  dismount  them  giving  such  horses  and  material  as  they  have  to 
make  other  corps  effective,  and  transfer  the  officers  and  men  to  your 
heavy  batteries,  relieving  infantry  ;  or  you  could  arm  them  as  infan- 
try and  put  them  in  the  field.  Some  con. panics,  I  see,  are  still  being 
equipped.  Put  a  stop  to  it  immediately.  Other  parts  of  the  report, 
too,  require  your  prompt  consideration,  especially  in   the  staff  de- 


61 

partment.     The   reports  from  the  Medical  Inspector,  comino'  in,  are 
equally  unsatisfactory. 

Your  short  time  in  comtnand  and  close  engagement  at  Vicksburg 
have  allowed  you  but  little  time  for  these  matters,  but  I  trust  you  will 
be  able,  through  intell'gent  and  eifective  staff  officers,  in  correcting 
some  of  the  evils  soon.  It  is  with  deep  regret,  I  see  you  ose  Gen, 
Villepigue,  as  I  consider  him  equal  to  any  officer  in  the  service. 
Brig.  Gen.  Duncan,  and  perhaps  others  exchanged,  will  soon  be  with 
us,  when  you  shall  be  attended  to. 

I  am,  General,  most  respectfully  and  truly  yours, 

(Signed,)  BRAXTON  BRAGG, 

General  Commanding. 
M.  M.  KiMMEL,  Major  and  A.  A.  G. 


GENERAL  BRAGG  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 

Headquarters  Department  No.  2,        ) 
Chattanooga,  Tenn  ,  Aug.  27,  1862.  \ 

Major  General  Earl  Van  Dorn, 

Com'dg  Distiict  of  the  Mississippi,  Jackson,  il/m-. : 

General:  We  move  from  here  immediately — later,  by  some  days, 
than  expected,  but  in  time,  we  hope,  for  a  successful  campaign  Buell 
has  certainly  fallen  back  from  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railjo;td, 
and  will  probably  not  make  a  stand  this  side  of  Nashville,  if  there. 
He  is  now  fortifying  at  that  place. 

General  E.  K.  Smith,  reinforced  by  two  brigades  from  this  army, 
has  turned  Cumberland  Gap,  and  is  now  marching  on  Lexington.  Ky. 
Gen.  Morgan  (Yankee)  is  thus  cut  off  from  all  supplies.  General 
Humphrey  Marshal  is  to  enter  Eastern  Kentucky  from  Western  Vir- 
ginia.    We  shall  thus  have  Buell  pretty  well  disposed  of. 

Sherman  and  Rosencrans  we  leave  to  you  and  Price,  satisfied  you 
can  dispose  of  them,  and  we  coafi'iently  hope  to  meet  you  upon  the 
Ohio. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

BRAXTON  BRAGG, 
General  Commanding. 

M.    M.    KiMMELL. 


GENERAL  ARMSTRONG  TO  GENERAL  PRICE. 

MidDLEBURG,  five  miles  south  of  BOLIVER, 

August  30,  1862. 
Major  Sneed,  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Just  finished  whipping  the  enemy  in  from  of  Boliver.     Ran  in 
town.     I  believe  they  will  leave  the  country.     West  Tennessee  is 


62 

almost  free  of  the  invaders.  All  neeled  is  an  advance  of  the  infantry. 
They  estimate  their  force  at  ten  thousand.  I  believe  they  have  only 
about  six  thousand.  Captain  Pry  or  will  give  you  the  details.  I  send 
seventy-one  prisoners  to  General  Villipigue — four  commanding 
ofiScers.  There  are  strong  works  in  rear  of  Bolivar,  and  I  did  not 
enter  the  town,  as  it  would  only  have  caused  them  to  shell  it,  without 
giving  me  any  advantage. 

You  will  hear  from  us  again  in  a  day  or  two, 

.  (Signed,)  F.  C.  ARMSTRONG. 

A  true  copy, 

M.  M.  KiMMEi.,  Major  and  A.  A.  G. 


GENERAL  PRICE  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 

Headquartkr  District  of  the  Tennessee,  ) 
Tupelo,  September  2,  1862.      ] 

Major  General  Van  Dorn, 

Commanding  District  of  the  Mississippi,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

Ge\'eral:  I  received,  last  night,  a  dispatch  of  which  the  following 
is  a  copy : 

*'  LiQUATCHiE  Vallet,  August  29. 
**  To  General  Sterling  Price  : 

**  Buell's  whole  force  is  in  full  retreat  upon  Nashville,  destroying 
their  stores.  Watch  Ronsencrans  and  prevent  a  junction  ;  or  if  he 
escapes  you  follow  him  closely. 

**  Braxton  Bragg." 

I  feel  that  this  order  requires  me  to  advance  immediately,  and  I 
shall  bave  my  whole  command  ready  to  move  in  three  days.  That 
portion  of  my  cavalry  which  did  not  accompany  General  Armstrong, 
has  been  ordered  forward  to  Booneville,  and  General  Little  is  moving 
his  division  to  Guntown  and  Baldwin.  I  hope  that  nothing  will  pre- 
vent you  from  coming  forward  without  delay,  with  all  your  disposable 
troops.  Be  pleased  to  telegraph  your  determination  in  such  way, 
however,  that  it  will  not  be  understood  by  others,  and  to  write  to  me 
fully  by  my  aid-de-camp,  Lieutenant  Wood,  who  will  hand  this  to 
you. 

I  enclose  for  your  information  copies  of  a  letter  from  General 
Bragg,  dated  August  27th,  and  of  a  despatch  from  General  Armstrong 
announcing  the  result  of  an  engagement  in  front  of  Bolivar. 
I  am.  General,  with  the  greatest  respect. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

STERLING  PRICE, 

Major  General. 
A  true  copy : 
M.  M,  Kimmel,  Major  and  A.  A.  G. 


63 

FROM  GEN.  PRICE  TO  GEN.  VAN  DORN. 

Headquarters  District  of  the  Tennessee,  ) 
Tupelo,  September  4,  1862.      \ 
Major  General  Earl  Van  Dorn, 

Commanding  Disirict  of  the  Mississippi  : 

General:  One  of  your  staff  officers,  Colonel  Lomax,  having 
requested  me  to  do  so,  I  state,  for  your  information,  that  I  can  put 
in  the  field  thirteen  thousand  infantry,  three  thousand  cavalry  and 
eight  hundred  artillery,  effective  total;  that  they  are  supplied  with 
transportation  and  ammunition,  as  prescribed  in  General  Bragg's  last 
general  orders  ;  that  subsistence  has  been  provided  to  the  first  day  of 
October ;  that  the  commissary  trains  will  transport  seven  days'  pro- 
visions, and  that  I  will  have  arms  for  all  my  troops,  including  those 
exchanged  prisoners  that  General  Bragg  has  been  ordered  to  be  sent 
to  me.  I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  STERLING  PRICE, 

Major  Gemraly  Commanding. 
M.  M.  KiMMEL,  Major  and  A.  A.  G. 

GENERAL  PRICE  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 

Headquarters  District  of  the  Tennessee.  ) 
Tupelo,  September  5,  1862.      S 

Maj.  Gen,  Earl  Van  Dorn, 

Commanding  District  of  the  Mississippi,  Jackson  : 

General  :  I  have  received  your  reply  to  my  letter  of  the  2d 
instant,  and  regret  very  much  that  you  cannot  move  in  this  direction 
at  once. 

I  feel  that  General  Bragg's  instructions  and  the  situation  of  affairs 
within  my  district,  alike  compel  me  to  keep  near  the  line  of  the  road. 
If  I  move  towords  Holly  Springs  as  you  suggest,  I  not  only  endanger 
the  safety  of  the  road,  which  is  essential  to  the  supply  of  my  army, 
but  I  expose  my  supplies  of  every  kind,  and  the  valuable  work  shops 
and  public  property  at  Columbus  and  Gainesville  to  destruction  by 
the  enemy.  I  learn  that  a  cavalry  force  of  theives,  17,000  strong,  is 
even  now  within  forty  eight  hours  march  of  Columbus. 

General  Bragg's  orders  also  compel  me  to  keep  close  watch  upon 
Rosencrans,  and  1  hear  that  he  is  now  at  luka,  and  crossing  his  army 
at  Eastport.  I  am,  therefore,  pushing  my  army  slowly  forward,  and 
shall  remove  my  own  headquarters  to  Guntown  on  Sunday,  I  shall  then 
determine  by  what  route  to  advance.  I  shall  keep  you  fully  advised 
of  my  movements,  so  that  we  may  co-operate  or  unit3  our  forces  as 
may  be  most  advisable. 

I  am,  General,  very  sincerely. 

Your  friend  and  obd't  seiVt, 
(Signed)  STERLING  PRICE, 

Major  General. 
M.  M.  Kimmel,  Lieut.  Col.  and  Inspector  General. 


64 
GENERAL  PRICE  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 

BY   TFLLGRAIMI  FROM  lUK  \. 

Sunday,  September  14,  18G2. 
To  Gen.  Van  Dorn  : 

Rosencrain  has  gone  Westward  with  about  ten  thousand  men.  I 
am  ready  to  co-operate  wiih  you  in  an  attack  upon  Corinth.  My 
courier  awiuts  your  answer. 

STERLING   PRICE, 

Major  General. 

M,    M.    KlMMTL. 


GENERAL  PRICE  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 

Headquarters  District  ok  the  Tennessee,  ) 
luka,  September  17,   J 862.      \ 
Maj.  .Gen.  E^rl  Van  Dorn, 

Commandinn  District  of  the  Mississippi  : 

Generxl:  I  entered  tlii^  town  with  my  army  on  last  Sunday  morn- 
ing. The  reir  gu:ir>l  of  Rosfcrans'  army  evacuated  it  at  my  approach, 
and  «)e  retreiiiiug  Westward.  1  telegraphed  you  immediately,  proposing 
a  combined  movement  upon  Corinth,  and  sent  the  dispatch  by  special 
messenge>r^  to  Guntown,  Avith  instructions  to  forward  it  to  you  imme- 
diately, and  to  await  your  reply.  This  has  not  been  received  yet.  I 
hope  that  you  will  ansrwor  me  at  once,  for  General  Bragg  has  just 
sent  ii!<:  auoilior  despatch  in  tticse  words  : 

"En  kol'te  to  Kentucky,  September  12,  1862. 
"By  the  puiceedintTs  of  m  council  of  war  in  Nashville,  captured  by 
us,   ii   seems    Rosecrans,    witli   part  of  his  army    is  there.      I  have 
anxiously  expected  your  advance,  and  trust  it  will  not  longer  be  de- 
layed. 

"(Signed)  "Braxton  Bragg." 

I  cannot  remain  inactive  any  longer  and  must  move,  either  with 
you  aguii.st  Rosecrans,  or  towards  Kentucky.  The  courier  who  takes 
this  to   you  will  bring  your  reply. 

J  am,  very  re[ieGLfully, 

\'tjur  obedient  servant, 

STERLING   PRICE, 

Major  General. 
M.  M.  KiMMEL,  Major  and  A.  A.   G. 


GENERAL  PRICE  TO  GENERAL  VAN  .DORN. 

TELEGRAM. 

Iuka,  September  19,1862. 
General  V\n  Dorn: 

I  will  make  the  movement  proposed  in   your  dispatch   of   the  16th 


65 

inst.  Enemy  concentrating  against  me.  Please  make  demonstration 
towards  Rienzi.  Have  written  bj  courier.  Send  your  telegrams  to 
Tupelo. 

(Signed,)  STERLING  PRICE, 

Major  General  Commanding, 

M.  M.  KiMMEL,  Major  and  A.  A.  G. 


GENERAL  PRICE  TO  GENERAL  VAN  BORN. 

Baldwin,  September  23,  1862. 

To  General  Earl  Van  Dorn  : 

I  will  leave  here  on  Friday  morninfj,  20th,  Wrote  you  this  morn- 
ing stating  that  I  would  meet  you  at  Ripley.  As  you  know  more  of 
the  country,  if  any  point  be  better  state  it,  and  I  will  meet  you  there. 

A  few  davs  ago  the  enemy's  strength  was  thirty-five  thousand.  I 
learn  that  they  are  leaving  in  the  direction  of  Jackson,  and  Avherher 
yre  attack  them  or  not  before  receiving  our  exchanged  prisoners,  it  is 
important  that  we  should  unite. 

(Signed,)  STERLING  PRICE, 

Major  General. 

M.  M.  Klmmel,  Major  and  A.  A.  G. 


GENERAL  BRAGG  TO  GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 

Headquarters,  Department  No.  2,      ) 
Bardstown,  Ky.,  Sept.  25,  1862.  } 

For  Major  General  Van  Dorn  : 

General:  We  have  driven  and  drawn  the  enemy  clear  back  to  tho 
Ohio.  Push  your  columns  to  our  support  and  arouse  the  people  to 
reinforce  us.  We  have  thousands  of  arms  without  men  to  handle 
them. 

Nashville  is  defended  by  only  a  weak  divisin,  Bowling   Green  by 

only  a  regiment.     Sweep  them  off  and  push  up  to  the   Ohio      Secure 

the  heavy  guns  at  these  places  and  we  will  secure  the   Tennessee  and 

Cumberland  rivers.     All  depends  on  rapid   movements.     Trusting  to 

5 


66 

your  energy  and  zeal,  ^e  shaU  confidently  expect  a  diyersion  in  our 
iftvor  against  the  overwhelming  force  now   concentrating  in  our  front. 
Respectfully  and  truly  yours, 

BRAXTON  BRAGG, 
General  Commanding. 

M.    M.    KiMMEL. 


REPORT 


OF    THE 


EXPEDITION  TO  HARTSYILLE,  UM. 


REPORT  OF  BRAXTON  BRAGG,  GENERAL  COMMANDING.. 


Headquarters  Army   of  Tennessee,      ) 
Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  Dec.  22d,  1862.  ) 

Gen.  S.    Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspctor  General,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Sir  :  Having  been  informed,  by  acting  Brig.  Gen.  John  H.  Morgan, 
whose  cavalry  brigade  covered  my  front  in  the  direction  of  Hartsville, 
Tenn.,  that  the  enemy's  force  at  that  point  was  somewhat  isohitcd,  I 
yielded  to  his  request  and  organized  an  expedition  under  him  for  their 
attack.  On  the  5th  instant  Hanson's  brigade,  of  Breckinridge's  divis- 
ion, was. moved  forwaril  on  the  road  towards  Hartsville  and  halted  at 
Baird's  Mills,  a  point  nearly  due  east  from  Nashville,  and  half  way  to 
Hartsville,  when  it  was  joined  by  INIorgan's  cavalry  force.  Two  regi- 
ments, the  2d  and  9th  Kentucky  Infantry,  with  Cobb's  Kentucky  Ar- 
tillery, moved  from  this  point,  with  the  cavalry,  at  H),  P  M.,  on  the 
6th,  to  attack  the  enemy  at  Hartsville.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the 
same  day,  Hanson,  with  the  remainder  of  his  brigade,  moved  as  di- 
rected on  the  road  towards  Nashville,  for  the  purpose  of  a  recon- 
noisance  and  to  cause  a  diversion. 

At  tlie  same  time  that  the  troops  above  named  left  their  camps  near 
here,  Major  General  Cheatham,  with  two  brigades,  moved  out  on  the 
Nashville  road,  halted  at  night  at  Lavergne,  fifteen  miles,  and  on  the 
next  day,  in  conjunction  with  General  Wheeler's  cavalry,  made  a  strong 
demonstration  on  the  enemy's  front 

These  movements  had  the  desired  effect,  and  completely  distracted 
the  enemy's  attention  from  the  real  point  of  attack.     Learning  that  a 


68 

foraging  train  of  the  enemy  was  on  his  right  flank,  Cheatham  detached 
Wheeler  with  a  cavalry  force  to  attack  it,  which  he  did  in  his  usual 
dashing  and  successful  manner,  capturing  eleven  wagons  and  fifty- 
seven  prisoners.  Under  cover  of  these  feints,  Morgan,  by  an  extra- 
ordinary night  march,  reached  the  point  of  his  destination  about  sun- 
rise, and  in  a  short  but  warmly  contested  engagement,  killed,  wounded 
and  captured  the  entire  command  of  more  than  two  thousand  officers 
and  men. 

I  enclose  herewith  the  reports  of  General  Morgan  and  the  subordi- 
nate commanders,  and  take  great  pleasure  in  commending  the  fortitude, 
endurance  and  gallantry  of  all  engaged  in  this  remarkable  expedition. 
It  is  a  source  of  personal  and  official  gratification  to  perceive  that  the 
Department  has  recognized  the  services  of  the  gallant  and  meritorious 
Boldier  who  led  the  expedition  by  confirming  my  previous  nomination 
of  him  as  a  Brigadier  General. 

Two  sets  of  infantry  colors  and  one  artillery  guidon,  taken  at  Ilarts- 
ville,  are  also  forwarded  with  this  report,  a  third  set  of  infantry 
colors  was  presented  by  its  captors  to  the  President  on  his  recent  visit 
.to  this  place. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

.Your  obedient  servant, 

BRAXTON  BRAGG, 
General    Commanding. 


>t  . 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  JOHN  H.  MORGAN, 
OF  THE  EXPEDITION  AGAINST  THE  FEDERAL  FORCES 
AT  HARTSVILLE,  TENN. 

Morgan's  Headquarters  Ctoss,  Roads  near  Murfreesboro', 

December  9th,  1862. 

Col.  Brent,  Chkf  of  Staff: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  lay  before  you,  for  the  information  of  the 
General  commanding,  a  report  of  the  expedition  against  the  Federal 
force  at  Hartsville. 

I  left  these  headquarters  at  10,  A.  M.,  on  the  6th  instant,  with 
1,400  men  of  my  own  command  under  the  orders  of  Colonel  Duke; 
the  2d  and  9th  Kentucky  infantry,  commanded  by  Col.  Hunt ;  Captain 
Cobbs'  battery  of  artillery ;  two  small  howitzers  and  two  rifled  Ells- 
worth guns,  belonging  to  my  own  command. 

At  Lebanon  I  received  information  that  no  change  had  been  made 
in  the  number  of  the  Federals  at  Hartsville,  their  number  being  still 
about  900  infantry  and  400  cavalry  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.  I 
found  afterwards  that  their  force  had  been  considerably  underr  ited. 

I  proceeded  with  the  infantry  and  artillery  to  Purcell  Ferry  on  the 
Cumberland  river,  sending  the  cavalry,  under  the  orders  of  Col.  Duke, 
to  pass  at  a  ford  some  seven  miles  below  the  point  where  we  were  to 
"  rendezvous."  I  passed  my  troops  with  great  difficulty,  there  being 
but  one  boat ;  and  about  half-past  five  on  the  morning  of  the  7th 
I  arrived  at  Hague  Shops,  two  miles  from  the  Federal  camp  I  found 
that  Colonel  Duke  with  his  cavalry  had  only  just  marched  up,  having 
crossed  the  ford  with  difficulty,  and  that  one  regiment  of  his  com- 
mand, 500  strong,  (Col.  Gano's,)  had  not  yet  reported.  Major  Stoner's 
battalion  had  been  left  on  the  other  side  of  the  Cumberland,  with  two 
mountain  howitzers  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  enemy  by  the  Leba- 
non road,  and  Col.  Kenneth's  regiment  had  been  ordered  to  proceed  to 
Hartsville  to  picket  the  road  leading  to  Gallatin,  and  to  attack  any  of 
the  Eiederals  they  might  find  in  that  town,  to  take  possession  of  the 
Castilian  Springs,  Lafayette  and  Carthage  roads,  so  as  to  prevent  the 
escape  of  the  enemy.  This  reduced  my  force  considerably  ;  but  I  de- 
termined to  attack  and  that  at  once ;  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost ; 
day  was  breaking  and  the  enemy  might  expect  strong  re-inforcements 
from  Castilian  Springs,  should  my  arrival  be  known.  Advancing, 
therefore,  with  the  cavalry,  closely  followed  by  the  artillery  and  in- 
fantry, I  approached  the  enemy's  position.  The  pickets  were  found 
and'  shot  down.  The  Yankee  bivouac  first  appeared  to  cover  a  long 
line  of  ground,  and  gave  me  to  suppose  that  their  number  were  much 


70 

greater  than  I  anticipated.  On  nearin^^  the  camp  the  alarm  was 
sounded,  and  I  could  distinctly  see  and  hear  the  officers  ordering  their 
men  to  fall  in,  preparing  for  resistance.  Col.  Duke  then  dismounted 
Col.  Clarke's  and  Col.  Cheuault's  regiments,  in  all  about  7311  men, 
drawing  them  up  in  line  in  a  large  field  in  the  front,  and  a  little  to 
the  right  of  the  enemy's  line  which  was  then  forming,  and  seeing  that 
the  artillery  and  infantry  were  in  position  he  ordered  his  men  to 
adv;ince  at  the  double-quick,  and  directed  Col.  Chenault,  who  was  on 
left,  to  oblique  so  as  to  march  on  the  enemy's  flank. 

His  men  then  pressed  forward,  driving  the  Federals  for  nearly  half 
a  mile,  without  a  check,  before  them,  until  their  right  wing  was  forced 
back  upon  their  own  left  wing  and  centre. 

Colonel  Duke  then  ordered  a  halt  until  the  infantry  had  commenced 
their  attack  on  the  Federal  left  wimg,  which  caused  a  retreat  of  the 
whole  line.  At  this  juncture  Lieut.  Col.  Huffman  and  Major  Steele, 
of  Gano's  regiment,  came  up  with  about  100  men  of  that  regiment, 
who  had  succeed  in  crossing  the  ford,  and  threw  their  small  force  into 
the  fight.  My  dismounted  cavalry,  under  Col.  Duke,  had  only  been 
skirmishing,  previously  to  this,  for  about  21)  minutes ;  but  seeing  that 
Col.  Hunt,  with  the  infantry,  was  pressing  hard  upon  the  Federal's 
left,  he  ordered  an  advance  upon  the  right  ring  and  flank  of  their 
new  line  ;   it  gave  way  and  ceased,  firing  and  soon  after  surrendered. 

Col.  Duke  reports  that  his  men  fought  with  a  courage  and  coolness 
which  could  not  be  surpassed. 

Cols.  Clarke  and  Chenault  led  on  their  men  with  the  most  deter- 
mined bravery,  encouraging  them  by  voice  and  example. 

The  timely  arrival  of  Lieut,  Col.  Huffman  and  Major  Steele,  and 
the  gallnnt  manner  in  which  they  showed  themselves  into  the  fight, 
had  a  very  decided  effect  upon  the  battle  at  the  point  at  which  they 
entered.  The  artillery,  under  Captain  Cobb,  did  most  excellent  ser- 
vice, and  suffered  eeverely  from  the  enemies  battery  which  fired  with 
great  precision,  blowing  up  one  of  his  caissons  and  inflicting  a  severe 
loss  on  that  arm. 

The  infantry  conducted  themselves  most  gallantly  ;  the  2d  Kentucky 
suffering  mott  severely. 

Col.  Bennett's  regiment,  as  I  said  before,  was  not  in  the  fight, 
having  been  sent  on  special  service  which  was  most  efiiciently  per- 
formed, 450  prisoners  having  been  taken  by  them,  and  12  Federals 
Icilled. 

Thus,  sir,  in  one  hour  and  a  half,  the  troops  under  my  command, 
consisting  of  500  cavalry,  (Col.  Gano's,  Col.  Bennett's  regipaents 
.*Jid  Major  Stoner's  command  not  participating  in  the  fight,)  700  in- 
fantry, with  a  battery  of  artillery,  in  all  about  1,300  strong,  defeated 
and  captured  three  well  disciplined  and  well  formed  regiments  of  in- 
fantry with  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  took  two  rifled  cannon,  the 
whole  encamped  on  their  own  ground,  and  in  a  very  strong  position, 
taking  about  eighteen  hundred  prisoners,  eighteen  hundred  stand 
of  arms,  a  quantity  of  ammunition,  clothing,  quartermasters 
stores  and  sixteen  wagons.  The  battle  was  now  over.  The  result 
exceeded   my   own   expectations,  but  still   I   felt  that   my   position 


71 

was  a  most  perilous  one,  being  within  four  miles  iii  a  direct 
line  and  only  eight  by  the  main  Gallatin  road  of  an  enemy's  forces  of 
at  loast  8,000  men,  consisting  of-  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery,  who 
would  naturally  march  to  the  aid  of  their  comrades  on  htaring  the 
report  of  our  guns.  I,  therefore,  with  the  sistance  of  my  staff,  got 
together  all  the  empty  wagons  left  by  the  enemy,  loaded  them  with 
arms,  ammunition  and  stores,  and  directed  them  immediately  to  Hart'a 
Ferry. 

There  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  The  pickets  placed  by  my  assistant 
adjutant  general  on  the  Castilian  Springs  road  sent  to  report  the  ad- 
vance of  a  strong  body  of  Federals,  estimated  at  5,000  men. 

I  sent  to  Colonel  Clarke's  regiment  to  make  a  show  of  resistance, 
ordering  Col.  Gano's  regiment,  which  had  arrived,  in  support.  In  the 
meantime  I  pressed  the  passage  of  the  Ford  to  the  utmost. 

This  show  of  force  caused  a  delay  in  the  advance  of  the  enemy  who 
had  no  idea  of  the  number  of  my  men,  and  probably  greatly  overrated 
my  strength  and  gave  me  time  to  pass  the  Ford  with  infantry,  artillery 
and  baggage  wagons.  The  horses  of  my  cavalry  being  sent  back 
from  the  otherside  of  the  Cumberland  river,  to  carry  over  the  infant 
try  regiments,  it  was  time  to  retreat.  The  ejiemy  attacked  our  reai;, 
but  was  kept  at  bay  by  the  two  regiments  before  specified,  aided  by 
four  guns  I  had  previously  ordered  to  be  pl«jed  in  position  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Cumberland,  looking  forward  to  what  was  now  tak- 
ing place.  The  banks  of  the  river,  on  both  sides,  are  precijwtous,  and 
the  stream  breast  deep,  but  our  retreat  was  effected  in  excellent  orderi 
We  lost  not  a  man,  except  three  badly  wounded,  that  I  was  reluctantly 
forced  to  leave  behind.  Cavalry,  infantry,  guns  and  baggage  tram 
fsafely  crossed,  with  the  exception  of  four  wagons  which  had  been  sent 
by  another  route,  and  which  are  still  safely  hidden  in  the  woods,  ac- 
cording to  accounts  received  to  day. 

In  justice  to  my  brave  command,  I  would  respectfully  bring  to  the 
notice  of  the  General  commanding  the  names  of  those  officers  who 
contributed  by  their  undaunted  bravery  and  soldier  like  conduct  to 
the  brilliant  success  which  crowned  the  efforts  of  the  Confederate 
arms. 

To  Colonel  Hunt,  of  the  9th  Kentucky,  commanding  the  infantry, 
I  am  deeply  indebted  for  his  valuable  assistance.  His  conduct,  and 
that  of  his  brave  regiment,  was  perfect,  and  their  steadiness  under  firo 
remarkable. 

The  2d  Kentucky  also  behaved  most  gallantly  and  suffered  severely, 
aixty-two  men  killed  and  wounded,  three  regimental  officers  left  dead 
on  the  field,  sufficiently  testified  to  their  share  in  the  fight,  and  the  re- 
sistance they  had  to  encounter. 

Colonel  Clarke's  regiment  paid  also  a  high  price  for  its  devotion. 
It  went  into  the  field  two  hundred  and  thirty  strong,  had  six  officers 
wfth  twenty-one  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  killed  and 
wounded,  besides  six  missing. 

Colonel  Duke,  commanding  the  cavalry  was,  as  he  always  has  been, 
'*  the  right  man  in  the  right  place."  Wise  in  council,  gallant  in  the 
field,  his  services  have  ever  been  invaluable  to  me. 


7t 

I  was  informed  by  my  Adjutant  General  that  Colonel  Bennett,  in 
the  execution  of  the  special  service  confided  to  him,  and  in  which  he 
80  entirely  succeeded,  gave  proofs  of  great  gallantry  and  contempt  of 
danger.     • 

I  owe  much  to  my  personal  staff.  Major  Llewellyn,  Captains 
Charlton  Morgan  and  Williams  and  Lieutenant  Tyler,  acting  as  my 
aides  de  camp,  gave  proof  of  great  devotion,  being  everywhere  in  the 
hottest  fire,  and  Major  Llewellyn  received  the  sword  of  Colonel  Stew- 
art, and  the  surrender  of  his  regiment.  Captain  Morgan  and  Captain 
Williams'  horses  were  kiljed  under  them,  and  Lieutenant  Tyler  was 
8)verely  wounded.  My  Orderly  Sergeant,  Craven  Peyton,  received  a 
shot  in  his  hip  and  had  his  horse  killed  by  my  side. 

I  must  have  forgiveness  if  I  add,  with  a  soldier's  pride,  that  the 
conduct  of  my  whole  command  deserved  my  highest  gratitude  and  com- 
mendation. 

Three  Federal  regimental  standards  and  five  cavalry  guidons  flut- 
tered over  my  brave  column  on  their  return. from  the  expedition. 
With  such  troops  victory  is  enchained  to  our  banners,  and  the  issue 
of  a  contest  with  our  Northern  opponents,  even  when  they  are  double 
our  force,  no  longer  doubtful. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  the  highest  respect, 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN   H.  MORGAN, 

Brigadier   General. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL   BRECKINRIDGE   OF  THE 
BATTLE  OF  HARTSVILLE,  TENN. 

Headquarters  Breckinridge's  Division, 
December  11,  1862. 

Major  Thos.  M.  Jack,  A.  A.  General : 

Sir;  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  a  report  from  Col.  R.  W.  Han- 
son, commanding  Ist  brigade  of  my  division,  covering  the  report  of 
Col.  Thos.  H.  Hunt,  who  commanded  the  2d  and  9th  Kentucky  regi- 
ments and  Cobb's  battery,  in  the  recent  expedition  (under  command 
of  Brigadier  General  Morgan)  against  Hartsville ;  and  also,  the 
reports  of  Major  Hewitt  and  Capt.  Morehead,  commanding,  respec- 
tively, the  2d  and  9th  Kentucky,  and  of  Capt.  Cobb,  commanding  the 
battery. 

I  beg  to  call  attention  to  the  officers  and  men  specially  named  for 
gallantry,  and  to  suggest,   respectfully,   that  the  troops  engaged  in 
this  expedition  deserves  mention  in  orders   for  conduct,  which,  in 
fortitude  and  daring,  has  not  been  surpassed  during  the  war. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  C.  BRECKINRIDGE, 
Major  General  Commanding. 


REPORT  COLONEL  R.  W.   HANSON  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF 
HARTSVILLE,  TENNESSEE. 


Headquarters  First  Brigade,      > 
Camp  near  Murfreesboro',  December  11,  1862.  5 

Colonel  BUCKNER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 
In  pursuance  of  the  order  of  General  Bragg,  I  proceeded,  with  my 
command,  on  the  5th  instant  to  Baird's  mill,  and  remained  two  days, 
making,  as  directed,  reconnoisance  towards  Nashville.  General 
Morgan  designated  the  second  and  ninth  Kentucky  and  Cobb's  bat- 
tery, as  the  troops  he  desired  to  accompany  him  upon  the  Hartsville 
expedition.  They  were  detached  under  command  of  Colonel  Hunt. 
I  enclose,  herewith,  his  report  of  the  battle  of  Hartsville,  and  the 
reports  of  his  subordinate  oflficers.  I  wish  to  call  attention  to  the 
honorable  mention  that  is  made  in  Major  Hewitt's  and  Colonel  Hunt's 
i*eports  of  the  gallant  conduct  of  Sergeant  Oldham,  of  the  second 
Kentucky  regiment,  with  the  hope  that  the  proper  steps  may  be  taken 
to  procure  for  him  the  proper  reward  of  his  conduct.  Sergeant 
Oldham  was  the  color  bearer  of  the  second  Kentucky  regiment  at  the 
battle  of  Donelson,  and  acted  with  great  gallantry  upon  that  occasion. 
He  is  a  suitable  man  for  a  lieutenancy,  being  well  qualified  as  well  as 
truly  brave. 

R.   W.  HANSON, 
Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  THOMAS  H.  HUNT  OF  THE  BATTLE 
OF  HARTSVILLE. 


Headquarters  ninth  Kentucky  Regiment, 
Camp  near  Murfreesboro',  Dec.  9,  1862. 

To  Captain  John  S.  Hope, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Captain:  I  have  the-  honor  to  report  that  the  detachment  from  tKe 
first  brigade,  Breckinridge's  division,  consisting  of  the  second  Ken- 
tucky regiment,  Major  James  W.  Hewitt,  commanding,  three  hundred 
and  seventy-five  strong ;  ninth  Kentucky  regiment.  Captain  James  T, 
Morehead,  commanding,  three  hundred  and  twenty  strong,  and 
Cobb's  battery,  placed  undor  my  command,  as  senior  officer,  with 
orders  to  report  to  General  Morgan,  left  Baird's  mill  where  the 
brigade  was  in  bivouac,  on  Saturday  the  sixth  instant,  about  one  and 
a  half  o'clock,  P.  M.  Marching  in  the  rear  of  the  cavairy  force  until 
we  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  Lebanon  an  exchange  was  made,  when 
the  infantry  mounted  the  horses  and  rode  five  or  six  miles.  The 
command  reached  Cumberland  river  about  ten  o'clock.  The  infantry, 
artillery  and  a  small  portion  of  cavalry  crossed  at  —  ferry,  the  balance 
of  the  cavalry  crossing  at  a  ford  a  few  miles  lower  down  the  river.  The 
two  boats  used  for  crossing  were  of  small  capacity  and  in  miserable 
condition,  but  by  constant  bailing  they  were  kept  afloat,  and  by  five 
o'clock,  in  the  morning  the  command  was  safely  over. 

The  march  of  five  miles  to  Hartsville,  (where  the  battle  was  fought,) 
yet  to  make,  over  bad  roads  for  artillery,  was  not  accomplished  until 
after  sunrise,  and  the  purpose  of  General  Morgan  to  surprise  the 
enemy  was  defeated.  When  we  approached  in  sight  of  Iheir  camp, 
we  found  their  infantry  already  formed,  occupying  a  very  strong 
position  on  the  crest  of  a  hill  with  a  deep  r.:vine  in  front,  and  their 
artillery  in  battery.  The  troops  under  my  command  were  placed  in 
position  west  of  the  enemy's  camp,  while  under  a  heavy  fire  from 
their  battery,  and  sharpshooters  thrown  out  from  their  right,  but  these 
latter  were  quickly  driven  in  by  the  dismounted  cavalry. 

The  second  regiment  having  been  formed  on  the  left  of  the  ninth, 
was  now  ordered  forward  to  support  and  follow  up  the  success  gained 
by  the  cavalry  skirmishers.  That  they  had  hot  work  to  accomplish 
is  shown  by  their  heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wounded. 

In  the  meautime  Captain  Cobb,  with  his  battery,  was  not  idle.     He 


76 

was  doing  good  execction  and  the  enemy  responded  with  effect,  one  of 
their  shells  striking  and  blowing  up  a  caisson.  As  the  ground  was 
cleared  of  the  enemy  opposite  our  left,  he  (Captain  Cobb)  was  ordered 
to  take  a  new  position  with  his  battery  in  that  direction,  and  at  the 
same  time  the  ninth  Kentucky  regiment  was  ordered  forward  to  engage 
the  enemy's  left. 

My  whole  command  was  now  engaged.  The  crest  of  the  hill  was 
reached,  and  hero  commenced  a  desperate  struggle,  as  the  contestants 
were  only  from  thirty  to  fifty  paces  apart,  where  they  fought  for  the 
space  of  ten  minutes,  when  the  order  to  charge  was  given  and  most 
nobly  was  the  command  responded  to.  The  enemy  broke  and  were 
driven  to  the  river  cliff,  where  they  were  completely  surrounded  by 
my  force  in  front,  and  the  dismounted  cavalry  on  their  flanks  and 
rear,  and  where  they  surrendered  at  discretion. 

It  was  a  continued  success  from  the  commencement.  In  about  one 
and  half  hours  from  the  time  the  first  gun  was  fired  they  surrendered, 
and  more  prisoners  were  brought  oft'  than  we  had  men  in  the  action. 
Large  quanties  of  commissary  and  quartermasters  stores  were  also 
secured,  a  section  of  artillery  and  a  large  number  of  small  arms  with 
the  usual  supply  of  ammunition. 

Gen.  Morgan  had  made  most  skillful  disposition,  which,  with  the  good 
fighting  qualities  of  the  troops  engaged,  secured  success.  I  cannot 
speak  in  too  high  terms  of  praise  of  the  troops,  and  I  scarcely  know 
which  most  to  admire  their  patient  endurance  on  the  march  or  courage 
in  the  battle.  They  marched  fifty  miles  in  cold  winter  weather,  the 
ground  covered  with  snow,  crossed  and  recrossed  the  Cumberland 
river,  fought  a  largely  superior  force,  strongly  posted  within  six  miles 
of  their  supports,  and  brought  ofi"  the  prisoners,  all  within  the  space 
of  thirty  hours.  Captain  Cobb,  with  his  officers  and  men,  had  a  most 
laborious  time  in  getting  their  pieces  and  horses  across  the  river,  and 
it  was  only  by  the  best  directed  exertions  they  succeeled  at  all. 
Where  officers  and  men  all  behaved  so  well  it  is  impossible  for  me  to 
single  out  individual  cases  as  peculiarly  worthy  of  commendation.  I 
cannot,  however,  refrain  from  mentioning  Lieutenant  Joseph  Benedict 
who  acted  as  my  aid  on  the  occasion.  He  was  the  right  man  in  the 
right  place. 

I  enclose,  herewith,  copies  of  the  reports  of  Major  Hewett,  Captain 
Morehead  and  Captain  Cobb,  and  would  bring  to  your  attention  the 
fact  that  the  former  commends  color  sergeant  John  Oldham  for  his 
gallant  bravery. 

The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  loss  sustained  by  my  command. 

Command.  Killed.  Wounded.  Missing. 
Second  Kentucky  regiment,                          8               54  3 

Ninth  Kentucky  regiment,  7  10  1 

Cobb's  battery,  3  7  0 

Total,  18  71  4 

Included  in  the  above,  are  of  the  second  Kentucky  regiment,  Chas. 
H.  Thomas,  first  lieutenant,  and  John  W.  Rogers,  second  lieutenant. 


77 

Co.  C,  killed ;  T.  M.  Home,  first  lieutenant,  Co.  A,  mortally  wounded 
second  Lieutenant  A  J.  Pryor,  Co.  D,  Lieutenant  Harding,  Co.  K 
wounded.     Of  ninth  Kentucky,  second  Lieut.   Dandridge  Crockett, 
killed,  first  Lieutenant  J.  W.  Cleveland,  wounded. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,* 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  H.  HUNT, 
Colonel  Commanding  Detachment 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  HEWITT,  2D  KENTUCKY  REGIMENT. 


Headquarters  2d  Kentucky  Regiment, 
Camp  Murfrcesboro',  Dec.  9th,  186 

Colonel  Thomas  W.  Hunt  : 


.1 


Sir  .  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  pursuance  of  your  orders 
I  formed  ray  regiment  on  the  left  of  the  ninth  Kentucky,  oppo>iite  the 
enemy's  camp  near  Ilartsville,  a  portion  of  General  Morgan's  cavalry 
being  at  the  same  time  on  my  left.  When  the  orders  came  for  me  to 
advance,  I  ordered  my  regiment  forward  and  after  passing  the  fenco 
the  nature  of  the  ground  was  such  that  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  de- 
ploy my  regiment,  and  therefore  gave  the  order  to  deploy.  In  this 
way  we  drove  the  enemy  from  heir  first  camp  and  continued  to  drive 
them  until  they  surrendered.  The  officers,  without  an  exception,  be- 
haved in  the  most  gallant  style.  They  were  continually  in  advance 
of  their  men  urging  them  forward,  and  w'here  all  behaved  so  well,  it 
•wouUl  be  impossible  ro  particularize.  Each  seemed  to  vie  with  the 
other  in  deeiis  of  gallantry.  The  whole  command,  I  am  pleased  to 
say,  behaved  in  a  most  unexceptionable  manner.  I  cannot  conclude 
my  report  without  reference  to  color-sergeant  John  Oldham,  whose 
conduct  and  courage  during  the  whole  engagement  elicited  the  enco- 
miums of  both  officers  and  men.  Append  d  is  a  list  of  the  killed, 
wounded  and  missing,  all  of  which  I  respectfully  siibmit. 
Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  JAMES  W.  HEWITT, 

Major  Cammanding  Twenty-second  Kentucky  Regiment. 

Killed, -  8 

Wounded,  _  -  _  _  _  54 

Missing,  _  ...  -  3 

Total,    ------  65 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  JAMES  T.  MOOREHEAD  OF  THE 
BATTLE  OF  HARTSVILLE. 


Ninth  Kentucky  Regiment, 
Camp  near  Murfreesboro',  Dec.  10,  1862. 

To  Colonel  Thomas  N.  Hunt, 

Commanding  Infantry  : 

Sir  :  At  twelve  o'clock,  on  Saturday  the  sixth  instant,  I,  as  senior 
captain,  was  placed,  by  your  orders,  in  command  of  the  ninth 
Kentucky  regiment,  which  had,  the  day  before,  moved  to  Baird's  mills, 
eighteen  miles  from  Murfreesboro,  and  was,  at  that  time,  about  to 
march  against  the  enemy,  reported  to  be  at  Hartsville,  Tennessee. 

The  we-  ther  was  excessively  cold,  the  snow  having  fallen  the  day 
before  to  some  depth  and  the  road  was  very  rough;  notwithstanding, 
the  men  marched  steadily  during  the  day  and  all  night,  and  reached 
the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  enemy's  camp,  near  Hartsville,  at 
sunrise.  The  enemy  occupied  a  strong  position  in  front  of  his 
encampment,  his  line  of  battle  stretching  along  the  crest  of  a  hill, 
•which  was  separated  from  our  forces  by  an  intervening  hollow  or 
ravine.  Our  line  (>f  battle  was  formed  with  Cobb's  battery  on  the 
right,  supported  by  the  ninth  Kentucky  regiment  directly  in  its  rear. 
On  our  immediate  left  was  the  second  Kentucky  regiment  and  still 
farther  to  the  left  a  portion  of  two  regiments  of  dismounted  cavalry, 
under  Colonel  Duke.  The  enemy  occupied,  with  his  sharpshooters, 
the  woods  and  ravines  in  front  of  the  left  wing  of  our  line,  and  opened 
a  brisk  fire  on  us.  Against  them  the  dismounted  cavalry  deployed 
as  skirmishers,  and  soon  succeeded  in  dislodging  and  driving  them 
back  upon  the  main  body  of  the  enemy.  The  second  Kentucky 
regiment  was  ordered  forward,  and  the  ninth  left  in  support  of  the 
battery.  In  a  few  minutes  after,  I  was  ordered  to  advance  and  moved 
the  regiment,  in  double  quick,  in  the  direction  of  the  main  body  of 
the  enemy,  going  over,  in  our  route,  very  rough  ground,  and  through 
a  deep  ravine.  Ascending  the  hill  the  regiment  advanced  to  the  right 
of  the  second  Kentucky,  halted,  and  immediately  became  engaged, 
at  less  than  fifty  paces,  with  the  enemy.  After  fighting  for  a  short 
time,  I  ordered  a  charge,  which  was  made  with  such  gallantry  by  the 
regiment,  that  the  left  wing  of  the  enemy's  line  gave  way  and  com- 
menced retreating  in  confusion.  Pressed  closely  by  the  ninth  Kentucky, 
they  passed  through  their  camps  and  took  refuge  under  the  brow  of  a 


80 

hill  on  the  bank  of  the  river  and  in  rear  of  their  artillery.  The 
regiment  continued  to  move  rapidly  on  andcaptuied  the  two  pieces 
of  artillery  and  a  stand  of  colors,  charged  the  line  of  the  enemy 
and  crove  them  to  the  brink  of  the  river,  compelling  their  imme- 
diate surrender.  Here  we  captured  Colonel  Moore,  commanding 
brigade,  who,  in  reply  to  a  question  from  Captain  Gouch,  answered 
that  he  surrendered  himself  and  all  the  men  around  him,  meaning 
the  whole  force.  The  battle  was  now  fairly  won ,  thefiring  had 
ceased  save  a  few  scattering  shots  here  and  there.  I  imme- 
diately  formed  the  regiment  again  in  line  of  battle,  had  order  re- 
stored, stragglers  collected,  and  the  men  kept  in  their  places.  I  sent 
detiiils  from  all  the  companies  to  look  after  the  dead  and  wounded, 
and  detailed  company  "  H,"  Captain  Bosche,  to  guard  the  ll)6th  Ohio 
regiment  captured  by  us.  The  prisoners  being  collected,  I  was  ordered 
to  detail  companies  *'  A  and  C,"  to  guard  them,  and  afterwards  com- 
pany "  G."  The  regiment  rccrossed  the  river  and  began  its  march 
towards  Lebanon,  Tennessee.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to 
the  officers  and  men  for  ti  cir  spirit  and  patient  endurance  under  a 
march  of  almost  unexampled  hardship  and  rapidity,  and  for  their 
gallantry  and  good  conduct  in  action. 

The  regiment  had  in  battle  an  aggregate  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  men.     The  casualties  were  as  follows,  viz  : 

Company  A — Lieutenant  Thomas  McCaing,  commandiiig. — One 
private  wounded. 

Company  B — Captain  Crouch,  commanding. — One  private  wounded. 

Company  D — Lieut.  Beale.  commanding. — One   private  wounded. 

Company  G — Lieutenant  Daniel,  commanding. — One  private  miss- 
ing ;   one  private  wounded. 

Company  H — Captain  E.  Bosche,  commanding. — One  private  miss- 
ing and  one  corporal  killed. 

Company  I — Captain  John  Desha,  commanding. — Three  privates 
killed,  and  two  lieutenants  (J.  W.  Cleveland  and  W.  T.  Casey)  and 
three  privates  wounded. 

Company  I — Lieutenant  Gaines,  commanding. — Killed,  Lieutenant 
D.  S.  Crockett,  and  one  private. 

Total. — Killed,?;  wounded,  10;  missing,  9. 
All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 
(Signed,)  JAMES  T.  MOREIIEAD, 

Captain,  commanding  ninth  Kentucky  regiment. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  COBB. 

Report  of  kiVed  and  wounded  in  Captain  K  Cohlis  company  of  Ligk^ 
Artilhry,  in  the  action  near  Hartsville,  Tennessee,  on  Sunday,  the  1th 
December,  18 'J  2. 

Killed  : — Sergeant  W.   E.    Etheridge,  Privates   David  Watts   and 
Sanderfer.     Total  3. 


81 

Wounded  and  left  on  the  field  on  account  of  severity  of  wounds  •_ 
Corporal  James  Donoh,  Privates  T.  C.  Carnhill,  B.  F.  Perdue,  Henry 
Vvilliams.     Total  4.  -^ 

Woundedand  not  left  .--Privates  John  Leonard,  slightly,  John 
Ihomas,  R  F.  Lear.     Totals.  &     J» 

Total  killed  and  wounded,  10. 
Respectfully  submitted, 
(Sigiied,)  R    CQBB^ 

Captain  Commanding  Battery. 


€ 


82 


A  LIST  of  Kilkd,  Wounded  and  Miss'.Jig  at  the  Battle  of  HartwiUe, 
Tennessee,  December  7,  1862,  ?/i  the  Troops  commanded  by  Acting 
Brigadier  General  John  H.  Morgan. 


Name. 


Sth  ke;«tccky  regt. 

J.  W.  Cleveland 

Dandridge  Crockett.. 

W.  T.  Casey 

Peter  Kaye 

T.  P.  'Winn? 

George  Pash 

Wm.  llcdger 

J.  B.  Gordon 

Tho8.  Strothor 

E.  L.  Ray 

James  Micbial 

John  Smith 

R.  S.   Cummiugs 

J.  Creager 

W.  B.  Mos.s 

Dennis  OHalloran.... 
E.  B.  Mcsshon 


Rank. 


Ist  Leiut. 
2d       " 
Ad  Scrgt. 
Corpl. 
Priratc. 


2nd  KKSTnCKY  REGT. 


Ist  Lieut. 


Corporal. 


Thos.  M.  Horn 

Cbaa.  H.  Thomas. 

John  W.  Rodgers 2d  Lieut. 

A.  J.  Pryor 

Kd.  Harding |  " 

J.  R.  Owens iSergeant. 

Auii'o  West '' 

R.  T.  Pryor " 

Thos  Maddox 1         " 

J:imes  Bark   Jr... 
James  A.  Reice.., 

K.  11.  Yancey 

Vile  Fra/.icr 

Thomas  Stewart.. 

D.  W.  ^Vuaver Private. 

J.  R.  Brigg 

C.  P.  Davis 

P.  H.  Edwards 

John  King 

Chas.  Moore 

Thos.  Rawatt 

George  Thomason. 

ITunif  Winter 

N.  N.  Daws 

J.  B.  Johnston 

N.  P.  Cannon 

Wm.  Ward 

E.  R.  Edwards 

L.  D.  Payne 

Samuel  Scott 

Chas.  H.  Hall 

M.  S.  Dougherty... 

E.  a.  Gordon 

J.  P.  Jones 

R.  S.  Payne 

John  A.  Loe 

Alex.  Rowley 

George  Galiheu... 

F.  Lane 

John  R.  Hercy.... 

J.  A.  Pryor 

J.  Irbey 

Thoa.  F.  Boay 


Killed,  wounded  and  missing. 


Remarks 


Supposed  to  be  kil'.eii. 


Slightly  in  shoulder. 

Killed. 

Slightly  in  leg. 

Killed. 

Slightly  in  anklo. 

Severely  in  wrist. 

Slightly  in  head. 

Missing. 

Slightly  in  thigh. 

Kil  ed. 

Killed. 

Killed. 

Severely  in  breast  and  thigh. 

Severely  in  arm. 

Dangerously  in  mouth. 

Slightly  in  log. 

Ki.icd. 


Mortally  wounded  in  breast.       Since  died. 
Killed. 
Killed. 

Slightly  in  right  arm. 
Slightly  in  lef;.leg. 
Slightly  in  left  si  le. 
Slightly  in  right  breast. 
Dangerously  in  arm. 
Killed. 

Severely  in  right  leg. 
Kil  cd. 
Killed. 

Severely  in  arm. 
Slightly  in  ankle. 
[Killed. 

Severely  in  leg. 
Sliihtly  in  head. 
Mortally  in  breast. 
iScverely  in  right  arm. 
ISevere  y  in  breast. 

Mortiilly  in  arm.  Since  dioi. 

Severely  in  m  uth. 
Severely  in  breast  and  shoulder. 
Slightly  in  head. 
Slightly  in  side. 
Slightly  in  loft  breast. 
Missing. 
Missing. 

Liangorously  in  both  legs. 
Dangerou.sly  in  right  leg. 
Slightly  in  left  thigh. 
Slightly  in  righ   arm. 
Slightly  in  right  leg. 
Dangerously  in  foot. 
Missing. 
Slightly  in!. s. 
Slightly  in  lug. 

Dangerou.sly  in  head  and  neck. 
Slightly  in  abdomon. 
Killed. 
Killed. 

Dangerously  in  arm. 
Slightly  in  log. 


83 


LIST  of  Killed,  Wounded  and   Missing — {Continued.) 


Name. 


T.  J.  Jackson 

J.  M.  Sullivan 

James  M.  Donald... 

James  Pulley 

P.  C.   Cunningham., 

J.  Howard 

S.  Sutton 

R.  Anderson 

Sara  Thomason 

James  W.  Lindsay.. 
Robert  Raither,  Jr., 

D.  J.  Brickley 

M.  Powers 

George  Hiller 

John  A.  Mason 

C.  M.  Swager 

Garrc  A    Elgin 

H.  P.  Wbic , 

J.  H.  Kinkton,  Jr.., 

Wm.  Brown , 

John  S.  Sreet , 

John  Harris , 

Frank  Taylor , 

P.  L.  Lois , 

David  Mordon 


Private. 


COL.  GANO'S  REGT.  OF 
CAVALRY. 

Andrews 


COL.  CLARKE  S  REGT. 
OF  CAVALRY. 


Rank. 


Sergeant. 


COL.  CHENAtILT  S  REGT 
OF    CAVALRY. 

James  Kelly 


Scrgt. 
poral. 
vat«. 


Coleman Lieut.  Col 

W.  E.  Curry Capt.  Q.  M 

Jinddetou Captain. 

Price  i/haplain 

W.  S.  Cailcr 1st  Lieut. 

Robt.  Cunningham 2d  Lieut. 

W.  S.  Kendall 

A.  Maydwell Q.  M.  Sgt. 

George  Didlake 0.  S. 

E.  Campbell 

hdborc  M.  Kanspy 

Wm.  iMerrill 2d 

John  Owen Co 

George  lloby Pr: 

J.  H.  Easton 

Christopher  Spears, 

Charleton 

Henry  Nicholas 

Robert  Baker 

James  Thomas 

W.  H.  Stan 

C.  C.  Brown 

T.  J.  (iilky 

Thos.  Wilson 

Wash  Kemper , 

Lewis   Peters , 

J    Beack 

W  Trimble 

Joseph  Burkley 

Hiram  Jones 

Andy  (iilligan 

Jowell  Owens 


Co.    Killed,  wounded  and  missing. 


Remarks. 


Slightly  in  hand. 

Slightly  in  leg. 

Slightly  in  breast. 

Slightly  in  hand  and  neck. 

Slightly  in  leg. 

Severely  in  hand. 

Severely  in  side  and  neck. 

Severely  in  shoulder. 

Sli  htly  in  thigh. 

Missing. 

Mortally  in  leg. 

Slightly  in  arm. 

Slightly  in  leg. 

Slightly  in  leg. 

Severely  in  shoulder. 

Slightly  in  leg. 

Severely  in  thigh  nnd  knee. 

Severely  in  both  hands. 

Severely  in  leg. 

Severely  in  shoulder. 

Missing. 

Missing. 

Slightly  in  face. 

Slightly  in  leg. 

Slightly  in  leg. 


Missing. 


Slightly  in  thigh. 
Slightly. 
Slightly. 
Missing. 

Slightly  in  thigh  and  ankle. 
Severely  in  hip. 
'Killol. 
Missing. 
ISIissing. 

Severely  in  thigh. 
Slightly. 
Missing. 

Slightly  in  thigh. 
Severely  in  both  thighs. 
Slightly. 
Slightly. 
Killed. 
Slightly. 

Severely  in  neck. 
ML-^sing. 

Severely  in  neck. 
Slightly.  • 

.Mortally. 
Severely. 
Slightly. 


Since  d'.ed. 


Missing. 


A.   Mortally. 


Since  reported  dead. 


84 


LIST  of  Killed,  Wounded   and   Missing — (Continued.) 


Name. 


Colley  W.  Pundon. 

Thos.  Duerson 

JohnUall 

Thos.  Buchanan.... 


Rank. 


Co. 


Private. 


COL.    BENNf^T's    RCGT, 
OK    CAVAI,RY. 

Haynes Lieut. 

W.  E.  Griffith 'Private. 

Wm.  Mooter " 

Frank  Bucban '       " 

COBB'R  BATTEnv.         j 

W.  E.  Elhcriilge Sergeant. 

James  D'li.oh Corporal. 

David  Walts 'Private. 

Benj.  iSandelur 

Thomas  Campbell.. 

Henry  Williams 

John  Leonard 

B.3F.  Pnrdu 

R.  F.  Lear 

J.  C.  Thomas 


MORGAN  S  FKRSO- 
NAL  ST  A  PP. 


Robert  Tyler, 
C.  Peyton 


Killed,  wounded  and  missing. 


slightly. 

(I 
KUled. 


Slightly  in  shoulder. 

D. 

Slightly  ill  finger. 

" 

Severely  in  thigh. 

E. 

Mortally. 

Killed. 

Severely  in  hand,  groin  and  leg 

Killed. 

Killed. 

Severely  in  arm  and  face. 

Severely  in  ankle. 

Slightly  in  hip. 
>< 

"         in  hand. 

Slightly  in  knee. 
Severel., . 


Remarks. 


Left  behind. 


IIECAPITULATIO  N. 


Command. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Missing. 

Total. 

9th  Kentucky  Regiment. 

6 
8 

10 
64 

1 
6 
1 
6 

17 

2d          "                  '•             

78 

1 

CoL  Clarke's        "                  ."      

2 

1 
1 
3 

21 
4 
3 
7 
2 

32 

Col.  Chenault's    "                  "      

5 

4 

10 

Gen.  Morgan's  Stuff. 

2 

Total 

21 

114 

14 

149 

Officers 

4 

5 

12 

11 
13  ' 
00 

I 
4 
9 

16 

22 

HI 

Total 

-      21 

104 

14 

149 

A  true  copy  from. fifes  in  thisj^officc. 


GEO.   WM.  BRENT. 
A.  A    Qenoral. 


PIE  FO  PtT 


OF    THE 


BATTLES  OF  POCOTllIGO  AND  YEMASSEE. 


REPORT  OF  BRIG.   GEN.  W.  S.  WALKER. 


Headquarters  Third  Military  District  S.  C,      ) 
Pocotaligo,  November  4th,  1862.  ) 

Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  Jordan, 

Chief  of  Staff  and  A.  A.   G.  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  about  nine  o'clock,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  2  2d  October,  I  was  informed  by  my  pickets  that  the  enemy 
were  landing  in  force  at  Mackey's  Point,  from  twelve  gunboats  and 
transports.  I  was  notified,  at  the  same  time,  that  they  were  ascending 
the  Coosawhatchie  river  with  four  transports. 

The  command  was  immediately  ordered  under  arms,  to  march  to  Old 
Pocotaligo.  I  moved  in  advance  to  the  telegraph  office  ;  and  made  the 
following  disposition  of  my  forces  :  The  Lafayette  Artillery,  four 
pieces,  under  Lieutenant  LeBleur,  and  a  section  of  the  Beaufort  Vol- 
unteer Artillery,  under  Lieutenant  N.  M.  Stuart,  were  ordered  to 
Coosawhatchie,  a  town  two  miles  distant  from  my  head  quarters  itt 
McPhersonville,  and  five  from  Old  Pocotaligo.  Captain  Wyman's 
company,  stationed  near  Coosawhatchie,  and  five  other  corftpanies  of 
the  eleventh  regiment  of  infantry,  from  Har  leeville,  were  ordered  to 
support  this  Artillery.  Colonel  Colcock's  command  of  five  companies 
of  cavalry,  "and  two  companies  of  Sharp  Shooters,  had  been  recently 
notified  to  expect  an  attack  at  Coosawhatchie,  and  in  that  event  were 
instructed  to  move  to  its  support.  Major  Jefford's  command,  of  three 
companies  of  cavalry,  were  ordered  from  Green  Pond  to  the  Saltke- 
hatchie  bridge.  With  the  blessings  of  a  good  Providence,  these  com- 
binations of  my  forces,  scattered  over  an  extent  of  sixty  miles,  were 
effected  in  time  to  foil  the  enemy. 

I  also  telegraphed  to  General  Beauregard's  headquarters  to  Brig- 
adier General  Hagood,  commanding  second  military  district,  and   to 


86 

Brigadier  General  Mercer,  at  Savannah,  for  reinforcements,  request- 
ing those  from  Charleston  to  disembark  at  Pocotaligo,  and  those  from 
Savannah  at  Coosawhatchie.  Captain  W.  L.  Trenholm,  who  was  in 
command  of  the  outposts,  consisting  of  two  companies — his  Rutledge 
Mounted  Riflemen  and  Captain  Kirk's  Partisan  Rangers — was  ordered 
to  withdraw  the  main  body  of  the  pickets,  only  leaving  a  few  impor- 
tant posts  guarded. 

The  force  with  which  I  first  engaged  the  enemy  consisted  of  two 
sections  of  the  Beaufort  Volunteer  Artillery  and  the  Nelson  Light 
Artillery,  eight  pieces,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Stephen  Elliott; 
the  Charleston  Light  Dragoons,  Captain  B.  TV.  Rutledge ;  first  bat- 
talion cavalry,  Major  Morgan;  Captain  D.  B.  Hey  ward's  company  of 
cavalry;  Captain  Kirk's  Partizan  Rangers;  Captain  AUston's  com- 
pany of  Sharpshooters ;  Captain  Izard's  company  I,  of  the  eleventh 
regiment  of  infantry.  Lieutenant  W.  L.  Campbell  commanding :  num- 
ber in  all  four  hundred  dnd  seventy-five  (475.) 

As  one-fourth  of  the  cavalry  were  horse  holders,  the  force  actually 
engaged  was  reduced  to  four  hundred  and  five  (4l>o)  men.    • 

The  force  of  the  enemy  was  representedby  prisoners,  and  confirmed 
by  the  statement  of  negroes  who  had  crossed  Port  Royal  Ferry  to  the 
main  land  on  that  day  and  been  captured,  to  be  seven  regiments,  one 
of  which  I  judge  went  to  Coosawhatchie. 

I  sent  in  advance  a  section  of  the  Beaufort  Volunteer  Artillery, 
supported  by  Captain  AUston's  Sharpshooters  and  two  companies  of 
cavalry  under  Major  Morgan  to  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  while  I 
took  position  on  the  Mackey's  Point  road,  near  Dr.  Hutson's  residence, 
at  a  salt  marsh  skirted  by  woods  on  both  sides  and  crossed  by  a  cause- 
way. After  a  short  encounter  with  the  enemy,  in  which  Major  Mor- 
gan, while  at  the  head  of  his  command,  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
ankle,  my  advance  force  retired  in  good  order  to  the  main  position. 
The  Beaufort  Artillery  was  posted  in  and  near  the  road  commanding 
the  causeway,  and  the  Nelson  Artillery  in  an  open  field  in  the  rear  of 
the  line  of  skirmishers  and  screened  from  the  enemy  by  the  trees  in 
front.  A  dropping  fire  of  infantry  first  commenced,  which  was  soon 
swelled  by  their  artillery.  Owing  to  the  close  proximity  of  the  trees 
fringing  the  other  side  of  the  swamp,  I  found. that  my  artillery  were 
suffering  severely  in  men  and  horses,  and,  accordingly  after  holding 
my  groujad  for  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  I  determined  to  withdraw 
to  a  second  position  two  miles  and  a  half  in  rear.  This  was  done  in 
good  order.  Captain  AUston's  Sharpshooters  and  part  of  Co.  I, 
■■  eleventh  infantry,  covering  our  retreat  and  beliaving  for  the  most 
part  with  great  spirit.  At  the  head  of  the  road  I  was  joined  by  Cap- 
tain Trenholm  with  the  larger  portion  of  his  company  and  Captain 
Kirk's.  I  assigned  the  command  of  the  cavalry  to  him,  and  ordered 
my  whole  force  to  move  back  across  Pocotaligo  bridge  and  take  up 
a  position  among  the  houses  and  scattered  trees  of  the  hamlet. 

The  artillery  was  placed  in   position  to  command  the  bridge  and 

causeway — the  Charleston  Light  Dragoons  being  held  in  reserve.  The 

bridge  was  ordered  to  be  torn  up  ;  and  this   was  scarcely  done    when 

;  the  enemy  appeared  in  sight  and  commenced  a  continuous  and  rapid 


87 

fire  of  musketry  and  rifled  guns.  Lieutenant  Massie,  of  the  Kelson 
Artillery,  could  bring  only  one  piece  of  his  battery  into  action,  owing 
to  the  original  smallness  of  his  company,  now  greatly  reduced  by 
deaths  and  wounds. 

Two  pieces  of  the  Beaufort  Artillery  were  silenced  by  the  disabling 
of  the  gunners  ;  the  remaining  two  kept  up  a  fire  to  the  close  of  the 
fight.  The  enemy's  artillery  was  entirely  silenced  and  withdrawn 
early  in  the  action.  One  piece  .of  the  Beaufort  Artillery  was  most 
judiciously  withdrawn  during  the  battle  and  posted  three  hundred 
yards  on  my  right,  under  Sergeant-Major  Fuller.  It  was  retired  by 
a  cross  road  unseen  by  the  enemy,  and  had  all  the  effect  of  a  rein- 
forcement from  its  new  and  unexpected  position.  It  fired  spherical 
case,  and  the  practice  was  excellent. 

At  the  crisis  of  the  fight,  I  ordered  up  the  Charleston  Light  Dra- 
goons. That  gallant  corps  came  forward  with  an  inspiriting  shout  and 
took  position  on  my  left,  which  wanted  strengthening. 

I  had  been  notified  by  telegraph  that  reinforcements  werq  on  the 
way  from  Charleston  and  Savannah  and  Adams'  run.  The  Nelson 
battalion  of  two  hundred  men,  Captain  Slight  commanding,  was  the 
only  reinforcement  that  arrived  in  time  for  the  fight,  about  an  hour 
and  a  half  before  its  close. 

As  soon  as  this  corps  made  its  appearance  near  the  field,  I  ordered 
one  half  to  a  position  commanding  a  causeway  some  six  hundred  yards 
on  my  right,  to  protect  my  flank ;  and  the  remainder  was  deployed  to 
the  front  to  relieve  my  exhausted  men.  The  arrival  of  this  battalion 
gave  me  assurance  of  victory ;  I  felt  perfectly  certain  of  success. 

The  two  companies  sent  to  my  right  under  Captain  Brooks  were 
well  handled ;  one  was  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  subjected  to  a 
Bcatterring  fire.  Their  appearance  threatened  the  enemy's  flank,  and 
no  doubt  hastened  his  retreat. 

The  enemy  continued  their  fire  until  6  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  it 
slackened  and  ceased.  I  ihen  sent  a  squad  of  six  men  of  the  Rut- 
ledge  Mounted  Riflemen  over  the  bridge  to  ascertain  the  position  of 
the  entmy.  The  bridge  was  in  so  damaged  a  condition  that  it  was 
some  time  before  the  infantry  could  cross. 

The  cavalry  were  obliged  to  make  a  circuit  of  five  miles  to  reach 
the  head  of  the  road  by  which  the  enemy  had  retreated.  This  enabled 
them  to  retire  unmolested.  As  soon  as  the  cavalry  arrived,  I  sent 
two  companies,  Rutledge  Mounted  Riflemen,  Lieut.  L.  I.  Walker, 
commanding,  and  Captain  Kirks'  Partisan  Rangers,  to  follow  up  the 
retreat.  I  was  reluctant  to  send  a  larger  force,  as  I  did  not  know 
the  result  of  the  contest  at  Coosawhatchie,  and  from  the  telegraph  wire 
being  cut,  was  fearful  it  was  disastrous  to  our  arms.  A  locomotive 
was  dispatched  from  Pocotaligo  station  by  my  aid,  Mr.  R.  M,  Fuller, 
and  two  couriers  by  myself  to  that  point  to  reconnoitre,  while  I  held 
my  force  at  the  junction  of  the  Mackey's  Point  and  Coosawhatchie 
roads,  ready  to  operate  either  way.  The  cavalry  had  proceeded  but 
two  and  a  half  miles  in  pursuit,  when  they  were  stopped  by  a  bridge 
completely  torn  up  and  destroyed  by  the  enemy  in  their  flight.  This 
could  not  be  repaired  until  morning.     There  were  abundant  evidences 


88 

tliat  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  was  precipitate  and  disordered.  One 
hundred  gmall  arms  were  picked  up  and  a  considerable  amount  of 
stores  and  ammunition.  The  road  was  strewn  with  the  debris  of  the 
beaten  foe.  Forty  si.x  of  the  enemy's  dead  were  found  on  the  battle- 
field and  roadside.  Seven  fresh  graves  were  discovered  at  Mackey's 
Point.     I  estimated  their  total  killed  and  wounded  at  three  hundred. 

The  fight,  from  the  first  fire  of  our  advance  to  the  final  retreat  of 
the  enemy  lasted  from  half  past  1 1  o'clock,  A.  M.,  to  G  o'clock,  P.  M. 
We  have  ample  reason  to  believe*  that  our  small  force  not  only 
fought  against  great  odds,  but  against  fresh  troops  brought  up  to  re- 
place those  first  engaged.  The  entire  command  had  been  earnestly 
v.arned  in  orders  not  to  waste  their  fire.  This  caution  was  urged  upon 
them  during  the  action  by  the  commanding  officer,  his  aids  and  the  com- 
pany oflicers.  I  am  satisfied,  from  my  own  observation,  they  fired  with 
care  and  judgment ;  and  yet  some  of  our  men  expended  eighty  rounds 
of  catridges  in  the  battle.  The  close  vicinity  of  the  ordnance  train 
under  its  energetic  chief,  Capt.  W.  W,  Elliott,  enabled  me  to  keep 
up  the  supply. 

I  bog  to  express  my  admiration  of  the  remarkable  courage  and  te- 
nacity with  which  the  troops  held  their  ground.  The  announcement 
of  my  determination  to  maintain  my  position  until  reinforcements 
arrived  seemed  to  fix  them  to  the  spot  with  unconquerable  resolution. 

The  rapid  and  continuous  vollies  of  the  enemy's  musketry  were 
only  intermitted  while  fresh  troops  were  brought  up  and  while  those 
engaged  were  retired. 

The  Beaufort  A^olunteer  Artillery  fought  with  great  courage,  and 
their  pieces  were  admirably  served.  Captain  Stephen  Elliot,  whose 
name  is  identified  with  the  history  of  the  defence  of  this  coast  by 
many  a  daring  exploit,  behaved  with  his  accustomed  coolness,  skill 
and  determination. 

Capt.  Trcnbolra,  in  command  of  the  cavalry,  again  exhibited  high 
qualities  as  a  soldier  on  the  same  ground  where  he  had  won  his  first 
laAirels. 

Captain  Edwards,  Co.  "  B,"  1st  battalion  cavalry,  showed  good 
conduct  in  the  command  of  his  company. 

Lieutenant  Walker,  commanding  the  Rutledge  Mounted  Riflemen, 
displayed  judgement  and  daring.  J  lis  company  wore  as  steady  as 
veterans,  using  their  rifles  with  great  precision  and  eifect. 

When  the  battle  was  hottest,  I  ordered  Lieut.  Walker  to  take  a 
squad  of  his  men  and  assist  the  B<!aufort  Artillery  to  remove  one  of 
their  pieces  further  to  the  rear.  This  was  most  gallantly  done  under 
a  severe  fire. 

Lieut.  Massie,  of  the  Nelson  Light  Artillery,  was  active  and  ener- 
getic in  the  service  of  his  guns. 

Captain  Rutledge,  of  the  Charleston  Light  Dragoons,  was  cool  and 
collected  in  both  fights.  His  gallant  corps  was  held  in  reserve,  and 
when  they  took  up  their  positi>n,  came  with  a  most  inspiriting  cheer, 
which  the  men  engaged  returned,  thus  giving  the  impression  to  the 
enemy  of  decided  reinforcements. 

The  government  is  greatly  indebted  to  Captain  Sligh,  and  his  brave 


89 

battalion  for  their  timely  aid;     Captain  Sligh  behaved  with  marked 

coolness  and  courage.     Captain*  — ^ and  Lieutenant! 

who  came  immediately  under  my  notice,  showed  zeal  and  bravery.  I 
have  again  to  commend  the  conduct  of  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Skinner, 
acting  adjutant  of  the  first  battalion  cavalry.  He  was  among  the 
foremost  on  the  field  until  disabled  by  a  severe  wound  in  the  arm. 

Enclosed  in  Colonel  Colcock's  report  of  the  engagement  at  Coosa- 
whatchie,  it  will  be  seen  that  his  command  behaved  with  spirit  and 
success.  The  most  important  point  to  defend  was  the  railroad  bridge 
over  the  Coosawhatchie  river.  From  this  the  enemy  were  very  quickly 
driven  by  our  artillery  fire,  but  they  succeeded  in  penetrating  to  a 
point  on  the  railroad,  west  of  the  bridge,  before  the  cavalry  arrived ; 
one  or  two  rails  only  being  torn  up  and  the  telegraph  wire  cut.  the 
damage  was  repaired  in  a  few  minutes.  After  the  enemy  had  retired 
to  their  gun-boats,  the  cavalry  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Johnson 
fired  with  effect  upon  their  crowded  decks. 

To  the  following  gentlemen,  acting  as  my  personal  stafi",  I  desire  to 
express  my  thanks  for  their  zeal,  gallantry,  and  intelligent  discharge 
of  duty.  Captain  Ilartstene,  C.  S.  N.,  naval  aid,  Captain  W.  W. 
Elliott,  ordinance  officer,  Captain  George  P.  Elliott,  Captain  John 
H.  Screven,  Corporal  D.  Walker  and  Privates  Tripp  and  Martin,  of 
the  Rutlcdge  Mounted  Riflemen,  and  private  E.  B.  Bell,  of  the  seven- 
teenth battalion,  S.  C.  V.  Privates  F.  F.  Davant  and  Ion  Simmons, 
of  the  Charleston  Light  Dragoons,  had  their  horses  shot,  and  after- 
wards fought  with  their  company  on  foot. 

My  aid,  ^Ir,  R.  M.  Fuller,  rendered  valuable  service  by  the  intelli- 
gent discharge  of  his  duty  at  the  telegraph  office.  The  Messrs. 
Cuthbert,  father  and  son,  gave  me  useful  assistance.  Privates  Tripp 
and  Bell  were  seriously,  and  private  Martin  slightly  wounded.  Cap- 
tain  Hartstene's  horse  was  wounded,  and   Captain  Walker's  killed. 

The  judgment,  coolness  and  gallantry  displayed  by  Captain  Ilart- 
stene, were  as  conspicuous  on  land  as  he  has  hitherto  shown  on  sea. 
I  must  express  my  indebtedness  to  Mr.  Buckhaltcr,  of  the  Charleston 
and  Savannah  railroad  for  valuable  services,  and  for  the  resolution 
and  courage  with  which  he  urged  a  train  filled  with  troops,  after  the 
engineer  had  been  killed,  through  an  ambuscade  of  the  enemy  to 
Coosawhatchie. 

When  the  engagement  was  over,  ample  reinforcements  arrived  from 
Savannah  and  Charleston.  The  enemy's  gun -boats  remained  in  a 
commanding  position  oiBf  Mackay's  Point  on  the  23d,  covering  their 
embarkation.  My  force  could  not  be  moved  nearer  than  two  miles 
without  being  exposed  to  a  destructive  fire.  A  detachment  of  cavalry 
under  Captain  Trenholm  closely  watched  their  operations,  occasionally 
saluted  by  their  shells. 

On  the  night  of  the  23d,  sergeant  Robinson,  of  the  Rutledge 
Mounted  Riflemen  made  a  reconnoisance  up  to  the  extreme  point,  and 
discovered  that  the  enemy  had  abandoned  the  main  land.     Early  on 

*The  names  of  those  oflScers,  though  repeatedly  requested,  have  not  yet  been  learned. 
fTho  commanding  officer  of  the  battalion  has  received  instructions   to  forward  them  to 
department  headquarters. 


90 

tlie  morning  of  the  24th,  their  gun-boats  had  disappeared.  I  enclose 
a  list  of  the  casualties,  and  a  sketch  of  the  positions  at  which  the  dif- 
ferent conflicts  took  place. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  W.  S.  WALKER, 

Brigadier  General  commanding. 


LIST  OF  CASUALTIES  in  the  battle  of  Pocotaligo,  Oct.  23,  1862. 


KUlcd. 


Company  I,  E  cventb  Infautry 

Captain  Alston's  Sharpshooters 

Nelson's  Battalion , 

Beaufort  Volunteer  Artillery 

Nelson  Light  Artillery 

Company  A,  First  Battalion  Cavalry. 

'•         C,     "  "  " 

"        D,    " 

Kut'cdge  Mounted  Riflemen 

Charleston  Light  Dragoons 

I'artizan  Rangers 

Marion  Men,  of  Combahcc 


Aggregate. 


15 


Wounded. 


17 
13 
14 
1 
9 
] 
2 
2 
8 


90 


Missing. 


6 


One  Lieutenant  and  two  moa  were  captured  while  oa  picket,  belonging  to  company  C,  First 
Battalion  Cavalry. 

nECAPITULATION. 

Company  I,  Eleventh  lufuutry. — Killed,  wounded  and  missing:  all  enlisted  men. 

Captain  AUston's  sharpshooters. — Wounded,  Captain  Allston,  Second  Lieu  onant  M.  Stuart, 
Third  LieutennntE.  P.  Carter,  slightly;  killed  one  enlisted  man;  three  wounded;  two  missing. 

Nelson's  Battalion. — All  enlisted  men. 

Beaufort  Volunteer  ArtUlery. — All  enlisted  men. 

Nelson  Light  Artillery. — Wounded,  Lieutenant  Maesie  severely;  cnlis'cd  men,  four  killed; 
thirteen  wounded. 

First  Battalion  Cavalrj'. — Wounded,  Major  Morgan  severely  ;  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Skinner, 
acting  Adjutant,  severely,  Comjiany  A,  one  enlis'od  man  W'^undcd.  Company  15,  ono enlisted 
man  killed ;  wounded.  Lieutenant  P.  I).  Rush  slightly  ;  and  eight  enlisted  men.  Company 
C,  enlisted  men ;  one  wounded  and  one  missing.  Company  1),  enlisted  men;  one  k-illod  and 
two  wounded. 

Charleston  Light  Dragoons. — Enlisted  men  ;  eight  wounded. 

RutlcJge  Mounted  Riflemen. — Enlisted  men;  two  woumled. 

Parti/.an  Rangers. — Second  Lieutenant  W.  T.  Speaks  killed;  wounded  Xliir<l  Lieutenant  P. 
E.  Terry,  severely  :  one  enlisted  man. 

Marion  Men,  of  Combahee. — Wounded,  six  enlisted  men,  and  one  missing. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  C.  J.  GOLCOCKE. 


Headquarters  3d  Reg't  Cav.,  S.  C.  V.,  ) 
Grahamville,  Nov.  4th,  1862.      \ 

Lieut.  Ed.  H.  Barnwell,  A.  A.  A.  General: 

Sir:  A  little  after  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  October, 
it  was  reported  to  me  unofficially  that  about  day  light  that  morning, 
the  Aboliton  fleet,  consisting  of  fourteen  steamers,  with  numerous 
barges  attached,  had  proceeded  up  Broad  river. 

Prostrated  by  a  protracted  spell  of  fever,  from  ^Yhich  I  had  just 
began  to  convalesce,  I  was  too  weak  to  take  the  field,  but  resumed  the 
command  of  my  post.  I  ordered  Lieut.  Col.  Johnson  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  small  force  at  my  disposal,  which  consisted,  as  you  are 
aware,  of  five  companies  of  cavalry  and  two  companies  of  sharp- 
shooters, of  Major  Abney's  battalion,  who  was  in  command,  and  to 
proceed  with  the  least  possible  delay  towards  Coosawhatchie,  to  which 
point  I  was  informed  that  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  fleet  were 
advancing.  On  arriving  at  Bee's  Creek,  still  four  miles  from  Coosa- 
whatchie, Col.  Johnson  was  informed  that  a  portion  of  the  Abolition 
forces  were  landing  at  Seabrook's  Island,  in  his  rear,  a  point  indi- 
cating an  attack  upon  this  place.  To  meet  this  he  had  to  divide  his 
command  and  put  three  companies  in  the  vicinity  of  Bee's  Creek  Hill. 
This  information  was  subsequently  ascertained  to  be  incorrect,  but  too 
late  to  make  use  of  these  forces  in  the  defense  of  Coosawhatchie. 

Proceeding  with  three  companies  of  cavalry  towards  that  point,  upon 
arriving  within  two  miles  of  it  he  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had 
already  landed  from  a  gunboat  and  barge  lying  a  little  below  the 
Ocean  landing,  and  was  advancing  his  column  towards  the  direction 
of  Bee's  Creek  Hill.  He  immediately  dismounted  his  men  and  formed 
them  as  skirmishers  to  meet  the  expected  attack.  This  movement, 
however,  was  only  a  feint,  as  they  soon  "about  faced"  and  advanced 
towards  Coosawhatchie.  The  ground  being  unfavorable  for  a 
charge,  the  effect  of  which  would  have  necessarily  been  attended  with 
severe  loss  to  the  cavalry,  with  a  prospect  of  little  injury  to  the 
enemy.  Colonel  Johnson  very  judiciously  made  a  detour  to  the  left, 
hoping  to  cut  them  off  before  they  reached  Coosawhatchie. 

"About  this  time  the  train,  with  a  portion  of  Colonel  Ellis'  regiment 
and  Captain  Chisholm's  company,  of  Major  Abney's  battalion,  which 
had  been  taken  up  within  a  short  distance  of  Coosawhatchie,^  as 
they  were   marching  along  the  railroad  track  towards    that  point, 


92 

passed  by.  The  enemy  hearing  their  approach  for  some  distance,  (the 
two  roads  here  running  parallel  and  very  close  to  each  other,)  availed 
themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  ambuscade  and  fire  into  the  train. 

The  particulars  of  this  disastrous  affair  I  will  not  refer  to,  as  I 
suppose  a  full  report  of  all  the  circumstances  will  be  made  up  by  the 
officer  in  command  of  that  detachment,  who  succeeded  the  late  unfor- 
tunate Major  Harrison.  It  seems,  that  on  arriving  near  Coosawhat- 
chie,  the  enemy  divided  into  two  detachments,  one  of  which  ambus- 
caded the  train  as  above  referred  to,  and  the  other  advanced  to  the 
river,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  railroad  and  turnpike  bridges. 
With  timely  forethought,  you  had  fortunately  dispatched  at  an  early 
hour  that  morning,  for  their  protection,  the  La  Fayette  Artillery, 
Lieut.  Le  Blcux  commanding,  and  a  section  of  Capt.  Elliott's  battery, 
Lieut.  Stuart  commanding.  These,  supported  by  Captain  Wyman's 
company  of  infantry,  most  gallantly  repulsed  the  enemy  in  their 
attack  on  the  bridges  and  drove  them  in  confusion  towards  their  other 
detachments,  which,  beyond  the  range  of  our  artillery,  had  succeeded 
in  cutting  the  telegraph  wire  and  displacing  a  couple  cf  rails  on  the 
track.  About  this  time,  the  cavalry,  which  had  to  make  a  considerable 
detour  over  very  unfavorable  ground,  made  its  appearance,  and  the 
enemy  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  the  cavalry  pursuing.  L^ufortunately, 
the  enemy  had  taken  the  precaution,  in  advancing,  of  destroying  all 
the  .bridges,  which  so  retarded  the  progress  of  the  cavalry  as  to 
prevent  their  cutting  off  their  retreat  to  their  gunboat,  and  barges. 
Disappointed  in  this  object,  Col,  Johnson  dismounted  his  men  and 
deploying  them  as  skirmishers,  advanced  to  within  about  one  hundred 
and  thirty  yards  of  the  gunboats,  where,  under  the  protection  of  a 
few  trees,  they  poured  three  volleys  from  their  rifles  into  the  crowded 
decks  and  barges  of  the  enemy,  which  must  have  done  considerable 
execution.  The  companies  composing  this  detachment  consisted  of 
Capts.  J.  n.  Howard's,  A.  B.  Estes',  under  the  immediate  command 
of  Lieut.  Peebles,  and  Capt.  Geo.  C.  Ile^ward.  Recovering  from 
their  surprise,  the  enemy  opened  a  terrific  fire  of  grape,  shell  and  mus- 
ketry, in  which  they  were  assisted  by  two  of  their  gunboats  stationed 
a  half  mile  lower  down  the  river,  under  whose  enfilading  fire  our 
small  force  had' to  fall  back.  In  this  affair,  I  regret  to  inform  you, 
we  lost  private  Thomas  B.  Fripp,  of  Capt.  Ileyward's  company,  who 
fell  mortally  wounded,  shot  in  three  places,  as  gallant  a  soldier  and 
true-hearted  gentleman  as  ever  fell  a  martyr  in  defending  the  cause  of 
liberty.  First  Lieut.  T.  G.  Buckner,  of  Capt.  Ileyward's  company, 
was  also  severely,  but  I  hope  not  mortally,  wounded  in  the  abdomen, 
and  Corporal  Thomas  Farr,  of  the  same  company,  received  a  flesh 
wound  in  the  thigh,  from  which,  I  am  happy  to  say,  he  is  rapidly 
recovering.  That  the  casualties  were  not  greater,  I  can  only  attri- 
bute to  the  interposition  of  a  merciful  Providence,  who  protects  those 
fighting  in  a  righteous  cause.  For  casualties  occurring  in  Maj.  Abney's 
command,  I  refer  you  to  that  officer's  report,  which  you  will  find  here- 
with enclosed. 

Two  hours  after  this  train  passed  Grahamville  another  train  arrived 
from  Savannah  with  the  32d  and Georgia  regiments,  under  the 


93 

command  of  the  gallant  Col.  Harrison,  Unfortunately,  they  arrived 
at  Coosawhatchie  after  the  enemy  had  retired,  and  thus  were  denied 
the  pleasure  which  they  seemed  earnestly  to  desire,  of  having  a  brush 
with  the  Abolitionists. 

The  enemy's  boats  retired  immediately  after  the  skirmish,  leaving 
in  their  hasty  retreat,  one  of  their  splendid  barged,  capable  of  trans- 
porting seventy  or  eighty  men. 

The  next  morning  not  a  sign  of  the  Abolition  fleet  was  to  be  seen 
in  the  upper  waters  of  Broad  river. 
I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  C.  J.  COLCOCKE, 

Colonel  Commanding. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  ELLIOTT. 

Headquarters  Artillery,  Third  Military  Disttict,  ) 

Dtparfment  South  Carolina,  \ 

McPhersonville,  October  24th,  1862.      ) 

Lieutenant  E.  II.  Barnwell,  A.  A,  A.  General, 

Third  Military  District,   Department  South  Carolina  : 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  casual- 
ties in  the  artillery  force  under  my  comniand. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  casualties  in  two  sections  Beaufort  Ar- 
tillery, Lieutenant  J.   J.  Rhodes,  commanding  : 

Wounded — Sergeant  J.  F.  Chaplin,  finger  sho*  off;  Sergeant  Wil- 
liam Thomson,  neck,  severely  ;  Corporal  N.  B.  Fuller,  arm,  severely ; 
Corporal  £.  E.  Durban,  hand,  severely  ;  Corporal  J.  J.  Brown,  leg, 
flesh;  privates  J.  E.  Tripp,  abdomen,  since  dead;  R.  F.  Sams,  hand, 
severely;  John  Jenkins,  three  fingers  shot  off ;  Daniel  Jenkins,  head 
slightly;  A.  Budden,  leg,  flesh  wound;  E.  B.  Trescott,  leg,  severely  ; 
J  F.  Cuthbert,  head,  slightly ;  S.  A.  Sams,  foot,  slightly ;  J.  D. 
Richardson,  back,  flesh  wound. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

STEPHEN  ELLIOTT,  Jr., 
Captain  Beaufort  Artillery,  Commanding  Artillery, 

Third  Military  District,  Department  S.  C. 


94 


CASUALTIES  in  Colonel   Walker's  immediate  command  in  the  affair 
near  Pocotaligo,  October  22,  1862. 


KILI.KD. 

WOUNDKD. 

UI88INO. 

COMMAND.    • 

s 

t£ 
O 

"a 

i 

u 

(S 

C 

'3 

m 

u 

9 
O 

m 

o 

a> 
at 

'a 
W 

TOTAL. 

Co.  I,  11th  S   C.  V 

1 

2 
1 
4 
1 

1 

3 

2 

1 
1 

1 

8 
8 
4 
4 

13 

7 

1 
2 

1 
2 

1 
1 

I 

2 

1 

3 

12 

8 

Co.  B,  l8t  Baiulion,  S    C.  S.  S.... 
Captain  Heyward's  Company 

10 

5 
19 

Co   A,  1st  rattalion  Cavalry 

Co.  B,  Ist  Battalion  Cavalry  

Co.  C,  Isr  Bittalit)n  Cavalry 

Co.  D,  Ist  Bnitalinn  Cavalry 

Partizan  Rangers   Capt,  Kirk 

R.  M.  K.,  Lieutenant  J.    Walker, 

1 

9 
6 
3 
3 

2 

. 

1 

9 

8 

60 

2 

7 

77 

Report  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing  at  Pocotaligo  and  Coosawhatchie. 

Captain  Lamkin's  Virginia  battery. — Killed,  4  privates ;  wounded, 
2  oflficers  and  13  privates. 

Company  B,  1st  battalion  South  Carolina  Sharpshooters,  Captain 
T.  Balton. — Killed,  1  private;  wounded,  3  officers  and  4  privates; 
missing  3  privates. 

Captain  Heyward's  3d  cavalry. — Wounded,  4  privates ;  missing  1 
private. 

Captain  Rutledge's  Charleston  Light  Dragoons. —  Wounded,  8  pri- 
vates. 

Company  I,  11th  S.  C.  V.,  infantty.  Lieutenant  Campbell. — Killed, 
2  privates;  wounded,  8  privates;  missing  1  officer  and  I  private. 

Beaufort  Light  Artillery,  Lieutenant  J.  J.  Rhodes. — Killed,  1  pri- 
vate ;  wounded,  13  privates. 

Company  A,  1st  battalion  cavalry. — Wounded,  1  officer. 

Company  B,   1st  battalion  cavalry. — Killed,   1  private;  wounded, 

1  officer  and  7  privates. 

Marion  Men,  of  Combahee,  Captain  Ileyward. — Killed,  none  ; 
wounded,  none. 

Rutledge's  Mounted  Riflemen,  Lieutenant  T.  J.  Walker. — Wounded, 

2  privates. 

Company  C,  1st  battalion  cavalry,  Lieutenant  A.  0,  Banks. — 
Wounded,  1  private  ;  missing,  1  officer  and  4  privates. 

Company  D,  Ist.battalion  cavalry,  N.  P.  Gree. — Killed,  1  private; 
■wounded,  2  privates. 


95 

Partizan  Rangers,  Captain  Kirk. — Killed,  1  officer ;  wounded,  I 
officer. 

Companies  B,  C,  D,  K,  Major  J.  J.  Harrison,  Coosawhatchie. — 
Killed,  1  officer ;  wounded,  7  privates. 

Captain  Hejward's  company,  3d  South  Carolina  cavalry.— Killed, 
1  private. 

Captain  Howard's  company,  3d  South  Carolina  cavalry. — Killed,  1 
private;  wounded,  1  officer. 


REPORT  OF  COL.  ALLSON. 

•  Camp  Walker,  McPhersonville,  S.  C,  ) 

October  24,  1862.      \ 
Lieut  E.  n.  Barnwell,  A.  A.  A.  G.  : 

LiEUTEANT :  I  have  to  report  the  following  casualties  in  this  com- 
pany in  the  engagement  of  the  22d  inst : 

Killed.— Private  P.  B.  McDaniel. 

Wounded. — Captain  J.  B.  Allston,  slight  cut  from  ball  in  right  fore 
arm  and  buckshot  wound  in  fleshy  part  of  the  right  buttock  ;  Lieut. 
Middleton  Stuart,  in  fleshy  part  of  arm,  (right)  near  the  shoulder,  from 
ball;  Lieut.  Caper,  contusion  on  right  hip,  from  fragment  of  shell. 
Privates  J.  A,  Attaway,  flesh  wound  in  back  part  of  neck ;  W.  Brown, 
cut  from  ball,  in  calf  right  leg  ;  E.  Boatwright,  severe  contusion  on 
right  hip  from  ball  striking  his  canteen  ;  S.  M.  Smith,  severely,  in 
right  shoulder,  from  ball. 

Missing. — Privates  W.  W.  Long,  left  severely  wounded  at  Hatsons' ; 
J.  Walden,  last  seen  at  junction  of  Mackey  Point,  and  Cosawhatchie 
road. 

The  company  went  into  action  with  thirty-nine  (39)  enlisted  men, 
and  three  commissioned  officers. 

JOS.  BLYTHE  ALLSON, 
Captain  Co.  "  ^,"  1^^  Bat.  S.  C.  S.  S. 


REPORT  OF  COL.  ELLIS. 

Headquarters  Hardeevill,  ) 
October  26th,  1862.      5 
Col.  Wm.  S.  Walker  : 

Sir  :  The  following  are  the  casualties,  reported  in  the  companies  of 
the  1st  regiment  which  were  engaged  with  the  enemy  at  Coosawhatchie. 

Major  J.  J.  Harrison,  commanding  regiment. 

Co.  B,  Lieut.  Chaplin,  commanding — Killed. — Private  C.  Rush,  leg 
crushed  by  train,  reported. 

Co.  C,  Sergeant  D.  D.  Leadbetter,  commanding — Wounded. — Pri- 
vate G.  W.  Monroe,  in  foot  and  arm,  slightly. 


96 

Co.  D,  Lieut.  Sauls,  commanding — "Wounded. — Sergeant  C.  Cook, 
slightly  in  the  face ;  Private  G.  E.  Stanley,  slightly  in  knee. 

Co.  H,  Captain  Boatwright,  commanding — Wounded. — Corp'l.  J. 
Iliers,  in  shoulder;  Privates  J.  M.  Hickman,  in  ankle, slight ;  J.  Polk, 
leg  fractured;  "W.  I.  Carter,  in  ankle,  slightly. 

The  Abolitionists  who  were  in  ambush  fired  into  the  train  at  Coosa- 
whatchie,  doing  the  damage. 

Respectfully,  yours, 

D.  W.  ELLIS, 
Col.  Commanding  Post. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUT.  CAMPBELL 

McPlIERSONVILLE,    SoUTH    CaROLIN^, 

October  24th,  1862. 
Lieut.  Ed,  H.  Barnwell,  A.  A.  A.  G. ; 

Sir  :  I  have  to  report  you  the  following  casualties  in  Company  I, 
11th  Regiment  South  Carolina  Volunteers,  in  the  recent  engagements 
with  the  enemy  at  "  Hatson's  "  plantation  and  "old  Pocotaligo,  "  to- 
wit : 

Killed.— Sergeant  F.  E.  Grant,  Private  D.  P.  Campbell— 2. 
Wounded — Sergeant  A.  I.  Smoke,  Privates  Stephen  Crosby,  Wm, 
0.  Bryan,  II.  Valentine,  G.  W.  Way,  Joseph  Warren,  G.  S.  Warren. 
James  Farley — 8. 

Missing. — Second  Lieut.  E.  B.  Loyless,  Private  R.  Ritter — 2. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  L.  CAMPBELL, 
\st  Lieutenant  Com?nandina:  Co. 


REPORT  OF  CAPT.  TRENHOLM. 

Headquarters  Cavalry,      ) 
McPhersouville,  24th  October,  1862.  J 

Lieutenant  Ed.  H.  Bar>well, 

A.    A.  A    G.,  Third  Military  District : 

Lieutenant  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following  list  of  cas- 
ualties in  my  command  on  the  22d  instant : 

R.  M.  R.,  Lieutenant  L.  J.  Walker,  commanding. — Killed — None. 

Wounded — Privates  J.  J.  Fripp,  severely  ;  Sand  )rs  Glover  slightly. 

M.  M.  C,  Captain  D  B.  Ileyward,  commanding. — Killed — Pri- 
yate  Jasper  Johns,  flesh  wound  in  thigh. 

Wounded — Privates  John  Adams,  leg  amputated;  Lewis  Ritter, 
"wounded  in  thigh ;  W.  T.  Remley,  wounded  in  arm. 


97 


Missing — W.  D.  Jordan. 


Co.  A,  first  battalion  cavalry,  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Skinner,  command- 
ing.— Killed — None. 

Wounded. — Lieutenant  Skinner,  painfully. 

Go.  B,  first  battalion  cavalry,  Captain  J.  E  Edvrards,  commanding. 
—Killed— Private  A.  S.  Dukes. 

Wounded — First  Lieutenant- P.  D.  Rush,  slightly;  Privates  J.  P. 
Dantzler,  slightly ;  J.  S.  Funches,  slightly  ;  D.  A.  Irick,  slightly ; 
S.  B.  Mias,  slightly ;  J.  D.  Rickenbacker,  slightly ;  J.  W.  Thomas, 
A.  H.  Wannamaker,  slightly. 

Co.  C,  first  battalion  cavalry,  Lieutenant  A.  O.  Banks,  commanding, 
— Killed — None. 

Wounded — Private  H,  E.  Crim,  mortally. 

Missing — First  Lieutenant  A.  0.  Banks ;  corporal  J.  G.  Leaphart ; 
privates  K.  P.  Kyzer  and  Thomas  Kleckley. 

Co.  D,  first  battalion  cavalry.  Lieutenant  A.  P.  Grie,  commanding. 
— Killed — Private  J.  J.  Richardson. 

Wounded — Privates  W.  W.  Willis,  painfully  in  face ;  A.  N.  W. 
Hartzog,  slightly. 

Charleston  Light  Dragoons,  Captain  B.  IT.  Rutledge,  commanding. 
— Killed — None. 

Wounded — None. 

Partizan  Rangers,  Captain  M.  J.  Kirk,  commanding. — Killed — Se- 
cond Lieutenant  W.  T.  Speaks. 

Wounded. — Brevet  Second  Lieutenant  P.  E.  Terry,  painfully  in 
face  ;  OrderJy  Sergeant  B.  W.  Davis,  wounded  in  thigh. 

The  wounded  are  doing  well.  Private  Crim,  of  company  C,  first 
battalion  cavalry,  may  recover  if  he  is  able  to  bear  the  amputation  of 
his  leg. 

Very  respectfully, 

W.  N.  TRENHOLM, 
Captain  Commanding  Cavalry. 


• 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  HEYWARD. 

Camp  Walker,  October  24tb,   1862. 

Lieutenant  E,  H.  Barnwell,  A.  A.  A.  G  : 

Lieutenant :  I  beg  to  report  the  casualties  in  my  company  as  fol- 
lows :  one    seriously  wounded,  three  slightly,  and  one  missing.     The 
company  went  into  action  about  fifty-five  strong.         *  • 
Respectfully, 

D.  B.   HEYWARD. 


98 
REPORT  OF  SURGEON  J.  McP.  GREGORIE. 

Report  of  the  casualties  in  the  Charleston  Light  Dragoons,  Captain 
B.  II.  Rutledge,  commanding,  in  the  engagement  on  the  23d  instant : 
Killed— None. 

Wounded — Corporal  J.  A.  Miles,  slightly  in  the  posterior  ;  Pri- 
vates E.  W.  Holland,  in  tlie  head  ;  G.  E.  Manigault,  in  the  forehead; 
M.  B  Pringle,  in  the  foot;  James  Hopkins,  seriously  in  the  right 
shoulder;  J.  J.  A.  O'Neills,  seriously  in  the  left  leg,  (fracture;)  J.  M. 
Privoleon,  seriously  in  the  right  thigh  ;  J.D.  Porcher,  slightly  in 
the  right  hip. 

Respectfully  Bubmitted. 

J.  McP.  GREGORIE, 
Acting  Surgeon,  C.  L.  Dragoons. 


REPORT  OF  -W.  W.  ELLIOTT,  ORDNANCE  OFFICER. 

Okdnancf.    Office,       ) 
Pocotaligo,  November  17ih,  1862  S 
Brigadier  General  W.  S.  \\  alker  : 

General :  I  respectfully  beg  leave  to  submit  a  report  of  ammunition 
captured    from  the  enemy,  on   the  22d  of  October,  at  .the   battle  of 
Yemassoe  and  Pocotaligo  : 
19  rifle  (3  inch)  shells,  loose. 
5  boat  howitzers — cases  of  which 

No.  1,  contains  14  rifle   (3  inch)  shells  for  6-pounders. 
<'    2,  **        14  rounds  fixed  shot  for  6 -pounders. 

"    3,  "  2  canister,  (12  pnds,)  9  cartridges,  1-12  pd.  shot. 

'<    4^         "         3       "  "         26  pd  shell  and  1  pd  shot. 

«'    5,  "  4        *'  "2  12-pd  sph.  case  1  6-pd  shell. 

Also  46  rifles  and  inuskets    of  different  make  and   calibre,  some  of 
which  have  been   issued  in  the  place  of  those  injured  in  the  fight. 
I  certify  the  above  to  be  a  true  statement. 
Very  respectfully, 

W.   W.  ELLIOTT, 
Ordnance  Officer  Third  Mil  tar xj  District. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  HAGOOD. 


He.'^dquarters  Military  District  S.  C, 
Adams'  Run.   11th  Dec,  186 


62.  \ 


General:  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose,  as  directed  in  a  communi- 
cation received  yesterday  from  Department  headquarters,  a  list  of  cas- 
ualties in  Nelson  Battery  in  the  affair  at  Pocotaligo.     Immediately 


99 

after  the  event  I  caused  the  list  to  be  sent  to  General  Walker,  and  at 
his  request  sent  a  duplicate  to  your  office. 
Very  respecDfully, 

JOHNSON  HAGOOD, 
Brigadier  General  Commanding. 

By  Gen,  Jordan, 

Chief  of  the  Staff,  ^'c. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  E.  E.  JEFFERSON. 

Camp  Ashby,  October  24th,  1862. 
Captain  A,  G.  Talley,  A.  A.  : 

Captain  :  Below  please  fin'H  report  of  the  losses  of  Captain  Frank's 
Virginia  battery,  Nelson  Light  Artillery,  in  two  battles  of  the  22d 
instant :  <* 

Killed — Privates  Copeling  Peters,  John  F.  Fulcher,  William  A, 
Thacker,  Thomas  J.  Allen. 

Wounded — First  Lieutenant  Jefferson,  concussion  of  shell,  slight; 
Second  Lieutenant  F.  T.  Massie,  shot  in  arm  and  head,  slisjht;  Ser- 
geant-Major  J.  W.  Eggleston,  concussion  of  shell,  suffering,  but  not 
serious  ;  Fourth  Sergeant  George  W.  Eggleston,  concussion,  very 
lame  ;  Privates  Calvin  II.  Coffey,  shot  through  the  shoulders,  seriously; 
M.  W.  Wright,  in  hips  slightly ;  B  W.  Wright,  shot  through  the 
shoulder ;  B.  W.  Gotlsby,  in  calf  of  leg  severely  ;  E.  W.  Thacker, 
in  foot,  the  ball  ranging  up,  severely  ;  George  W  Pugh.  in  ahdomen, 
severe  flesh  wound  ;  John  Allen,  in  shoulder,  very  slight ;  E.  T  Bow- 
ling, in  b  ick,  slight ;  Samuel  Wood,  spent  ball  in  ankle,  slight;  cor- 
poral Salath  Wood,  spent  ball  in  breast,  slight;  corporal  R,  H. 
Campbell,  shot -in  breast,  glancing  ball  in  arm. 

We  have  but  seventeen  sound  horses  left.  We  lost,  one  caisson  from 
the  team  running  away  with  the  limber,  early  in  the  action,  and  break- 
ing it,  the  Yankees  burning  "he  rear  chests  aud  axle.  One  of  our 
pieces  and  limber  was  struck  sixteen  times,  another  fourteen  times. 
Splinter  bar  of  one  caisson  nearly  broken  in  two  !»y  a  shell,  or  ball, 
through  the  chests,  and  several  wheels  injured.  Wo  had  other  men., 
slightly  injured,  but  as  they  are  on  duty,  I  did  not  think  it  necessary^" 
to  report  them,  •  ' 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

E.  E.  JEFFERSON, 
First  Lieutniant  Commanding  Nelson  Light  Artillery,- 

Virginia  Vohinteers.  . 


100 


Headquarters  Ind.  Military  District  S.  C,      > 
Adams'  Hun,  December  11,  1862.  ) 

List  of  casualties  in  the  seventh  battalion  mfantry,  South  Carolina  Volun- 
teers ^  in  the  affair  at  Pocotaligo. 

KILLED. 

1  Private  S.  Fenbril,  company  C. 

2  Corporal  S.  T.  Folsom,  company  F. 

3  Private  G.  Hale,  company  F. 

WOUNDED SINCE     DEAD. 

1  Private  E.  Turnipseed,  wounded  in  lungs,   arm  and  thigh,  co.  C. 

2  Private  G.  Bruce,  company  F. 

3  G.  McGougin,  -wounded  in  neck,  company  F. 

WOUNDED. 

1  Private  S.  Sinclair,  in  thigh,  company  A. 

2  First  Sergeant  W.  D.  Hill,  in  arm  and  breast,  company  C. 

3  Fifth  Sergeant  Elisha  Davis,  in  leg,  company  C. 

4  Fourth  Coporal  R.  Y.  Neill,  through  chest,  company  C. 
.5  Private  John  Hawkins,  through  leg,  company  C. 

6  Private  James  A.  Davis,  in  thigh,  company  C. 

7  Private  G.  Evans,  in  mouth,  company  C. 

8  Corporal  C.  Faust,  left  shoulder,  company  E. 

9  Private  A.  Ammond,  in  left  shoulder,  company  E. 

10  Private  H.  Dees,  over  left  eye,  company  E. 

11  Private  R.  Turner,  left  shoulder,  company  F. 

12  Private  B.  Turner,  left  side,  company  F. 

13  Private  G.  W.  Horton,  in  neck,  company  F. 

14  Private  James  Hopkins,  in  head,  company  F. 

15  Private  G.  Smith,  in  arm,  company  G. 

16  Private  M.  Gibson,  both  thighs,  company  G. 

17  Private  A.  F.  Hughes,  in  thigh,  company  G, 

18  Private  William  Justice,  in  chest, 

19  William  A.  Tiller,  in  thigh,  company  G. 


101  • 

Headquarters  Dep't  of  S.  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida,  > 
Charleston,  S.  C,  December  12,  1862.      J 

REPORT  OF  THE  CASUALTIES  in  the  co7nmand  of  Brigadier 
General  W.  S.  Walker  in  the  affair  with  the  Abolitionits  at  Pocotaligo 
and  Yemassee,  October  22,  1862. 


Name. 


C.Peters 

John  P.  Fulcher 

Wm.  A.  Thacker 

Thomas  J.  Allen 

E.  E.  JefiFerson 

F.  T.  Massie 

George  C.  Eggleston.. 

J.  W.  Eggleston 

C.  W.  Coffey 

W.  W.  Wright 

B.  W.  Wright 

B.  W.  Golsby 

B.  W.  Thacker. 

G.  W.  Pugh 

John  Al'en 

C.  T.  Bowling 

Sam  Wood 

Sa'athWood 

R.  W.  Campbell 

S.  Fenbril 

F.  Turnipseed 

S.  F.  Tolson 

G.  Hale 

G.  Bruce 

G.  McGougan 

S.  Sinclair 

W.  D.  Hill 

F.  Davis 

R.Y.Neil 

John  Hawkins 

J.  A.  Davis 

G.  Evans 

C.  Faust 

A.  Ammond 

H.  Dees 

R.  Turner 

B.  Turner 

G.  W.  Horton 

J.  Hopkins 

G.  Smith ; 

M.  Gibrom 

A.  F.  Hughes 

Wm.  Gustice 

W.  R.  Tiller 

J.  A.  Miles 

E.  C.  Holland 

G.  B.  Manigault 

M.  B.  Pringle 

James  Hopkins 

J.J.  H.  O'Neill 

J.  M.  Prioleau , 

J.  D.  Porcher , 

Skinner , 

A.  S.  Dukes 

P.  D.  Rush 

J.  P.  Dautzler 

J.  S.  Funches 

D.  A.  Trick 

S.  B.  Nias 

J.  D.  Rickenbacker.. 


Private. 


1st  Lieut. 

2d       " 
Sergeant. 

a 

Private. 


Comiftiny. 


Nelson  Va.  Battery. 


Corporal. 
Private. 
Corporal. 
Private. 


Sergeant. 

a 

Corporal. 
Private. 


Corporal. 
Private. 


Corporal. 
Private. 


Lieut. 
Private. 
Lieut. 
Private. 


Co.  C,  7th  Bat.  S.  C.  V. 
C,    "      " 
F.,    "      "        " 


F., 
A., 
C, 


Killed,  wounded  and  missing. 


Killed. 
Killed. 
Killed. 
Killed. 

Wounded  slightly. 
do        slightly. 


« 

E., 

it 

F., 
ft 

II 
G., 


<<         (<  CI  II  II  , 

Charleston  Light  Dragoons 


Co.  A.,  1st  Bat.  S.  C.  V. 
B.,  "      "        " 


do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

Killed: 

Woundec 

,  since  died. 

Killed. 

Killed. 

Woundec 

,  since  died. 

Woundec 

,  since  died. 

Wounded 

in  thigh. 

do 

m.  arm. 

do 

in  leg. 

do 

in  chest. 

do 

in  leg. 

do 

in  mouth. 

do 

in  shoulder. 

do 

in  sbaulder 

do 

in  eye. 

do 

in  eye. 

do 

in  shoulder 

do 

in  side. 

do 

in  neck. 

do 

in  head. 

do 

in  arm. 

do 

in  thigh. 

do 

in  thigh. 

do 

in  chest. 

do 

in  thigh. 

do 

slightly. 

.    do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

painfully. 

Killed. 

Wounded  slightly^. 

do 

slightly. 

«     II 

«     (( 


do 
do 
do 
do 


slightly, 
slightly, 
slightly, 
slightly. 


102 


REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES— {Continued.) 


Name. 


Rank. 


Companj. 


Killed,  wounded  and  missing. 


J.  W.  Thomas [Private. 

R.  H.  Wiiiinamaker....!       " 
H.  E.  Cri^ec j       " 

A.  0.  Banks 'Lieut. 

J.  G.  Reaphart Corporal. 

H.  P.  Hyter Private. 

Thom.is  Fleckley.... 
J.  J.  Ri<'hardsoD.... 

W.  W.  Willis 

R.  N.   W.  Harkag.. 

W.  T.  Spcakfe Lieut. 

P.  E.  Terry 

B.  W.  Diivis Scrgcaot. 

Jasper  .Johns Private. 

John  Adams 

L.  Ritlcr 

W.  T.  Rciulcv 

W.  D.  Jordan I       " 

J.J.  Tripp " 

Sanders  Glover i       " 

T.  0.  Buckner Lieut. 

J.  J.  Harrison....; .Major. 

0.  W.  Monioe Private. 

C.Rush 

C.  Cook Sergeant. 

G.  E.  t^tanley Private. 

F.  E.  Grant Sergeant. 

J.  P.  Campbell Private. 

A.  J.  Smoke Sergeant. 

B.  Croslcy Private. 

Wm.  0.  Began 

H.  V^aleutiue 

G.  W.  Way 

James  Warren 

G.  P.  Warren 

James  Yarlcy 

B.  B.  Loyless iL-eiif. 

R.  Riller 'Private. 


J.  Ilicrs 

J.  M.  Ilickmau... 

J.  Polk 

W.  J.  Carter 

P.  B.  McDaniel... 

J.  B.  Allston, 

M.  Stuart 

Caper.< 

J.  B.  Attaw  ly 

W.  Broun 

E.  Bootwright 

8.  M.  Smith 

W. W.  Long 

J.Walden 

J.  F.  Chapin 

Wm.  Thompson... 

N.  B.  Fuller 

E.  E.  Burbiui 

J.  J.  Brown , 

J.  E.  Tripp 

R.  F.  Sams 

John  Jenkins 

Daniel  Jenkins..., 

A.  Budden 

E.  B.  Trescott 

T.  E.  Cuthbert 

8.  A.  Saras 

J.  D.  Richard.-on. 


Corporal. 
Private. 


Captain. 
Lieut. 

Private. 


Sergoan^. 

Corporal. 

« 

Private. 


Co.  A.,  Ist  Bat,  S.  C.  V, 

*i       n         ti          *t  H 

"    C.    "      "  " 

«     <l       •<       .<  « 

«     II       II        II  « 

It        II           ,1     '       U  II 

II      II        II         II  II 

I.  I^^  »    »  .. 

II      II       «         l<  <> 

l(     II      «       l<  << 

Kirk's  Co.  Par.  Rangers. 

II        II      II  II 

II        II      II  It 

Co.  F.,  3d  S.  C.  Cavalry. 

II            i<  i< 

II            II  « 

<i            (I  II 

II            II  « 

Rutlcdgo  Mounted  Rifles. 

i<             (I  II 

Co.  K.,  3d  S.  C.  V.  Cavalry 

nth  S.  C.  V. 
C, 
B.,           " 

D., 

II  ii 

I., 


[Wounded  slightly. 


«     <i  II 

Co.  L,  11th  S.  C.  V. 

f*       it  ii  ft 

ti       tt  it  tt 

•'  H.,    " 


B.,  IsTBat.  S.  C.  S.  S. 


Beaufort  Light  Artillery. 


do 

slightly. 

do 

mortally. 

Missing. 

Missing. 

.Missing. 

{Missing. 

1  Killed. 

Wounded 

painfully. 

do 

slightly. 

Woundec 

do 

painfully. 

do 

in  thigh. 

do 

in  thii.h. 

do 

severely. 

do 

in  thigh. 

do 

in  arm. 

Missing. 

Wounded 

severely. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

severely. 

Killed. 

Wounded 

slightly. 

Crushed  by  R.  R.  train,  de 

Wounded  slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

Wounded 

Killed. 

Killed. 

Wounded 

Wounded 

Wounded 

Wounded 

Wounded 

Wounded 

Wounded 

slightly. 

Missing. 

Missing. 

Wounded 

in  shoulder. 

do 

in  shoulder. 

do 

severely. 

do 

slightly. 

Krlled. 

Wounded  slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

.slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

severely. 

Wounded 

Missing. 

Missing. 

Wounded  slightly. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do 

severely. 

do     ■ 

severely. 

do 

since  died. 

do 

severely. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

severely. 

do 

slightly. 

do 

slightly. 

Total  casualties.    Killed  14;  wounded  102;  missing  9. 


X^E  FO  PLT 


BATTLE  MAR  COFFEE VI LIE,  MISS. 


BRIG.  GEN.  TILGHMAN  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters   1st  Div.,   1st  Corps,  A.  W.  T.,  } 

December  6th,  18G2.       \ 

Lieut,  Col.  E.  Ivy,  A.  A.  General: 

Colonel:  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  follo\ving  report  of  the 
action  of  the  5th  instant,  between  the  Federal  advance  guard,  near 
Coffeeville,  and  j;hc  troops,  placed  under  my  command  by  Major 
General  Lovell,  commanding  1st  corps. 

At  about  half-past  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  Friday  afternoon,  oth 
instant,  whilst  engaged  in  the  town  of  Coffeeville,  Avith  the  various 
duties  of  my  command,  I  learned  that  the  enemy,  emboldened  by 
their  successes  heretofore,  had  pushed  their  advance  within  one  mile 
of  the  town,  and  that  having  commenced  skirmishing  with  our  rear 
guard  of  cavalry,  Mnjor  General  Lovell,  commanding  1st  corps,  had 
gone  out  with  a  portion  of  my  division  to  check  them,  I  immediately 
rode  out,  with  a  portion  of  my  staff  and  body  guard,  to  the  point 
selected  by  General  Lovell,  on  which  to  form,  and  found  that  he  had 
pushed  forward  a  portion  of  the  1st  brigade,  under  Gen.  Baldwin,  on 
the  right  of  the  main  road  to  Water  Valley,  wl  ilst  the  Oth  Arkansas, 
of  Gen.  Rust's  division,  commanded  by  Col.  Dunlop,  wSig  placed  in 
line  of  battle,  on  the  left  of  the  same  road.  Col.  A.  P.  'i'hompson, 
commanding  brigade,  of  the  2d  division,  had  also  been  ordered  to 
place  the  3d  Kentucky  regiment,  of  his  brigade,  upon  a  road  leading 
out  from  Coffeeville  to  the  west  of  the  main  road  spoken  of,  in  order 
to  watch  our  left  flank.  Upon  the  main  road  and  in  rear  of  the  (st 
brigade,  upon  a  small  eminence,  four  pieces  of  artillery  had  been 
placed,  being  part  of  Capt.  Bouchard's  company  of  the  Point  Coupe 
Artillery;  whilst  at  three  hundred  yards  to  the  rear  of  this  battery, 


fwo  Parrott  guns  from  Capt.  lied  Jen's  battery,  of  my  own  division, 
were  placed  on  a  still  higher  point,  and  in  a  position  not  to  endan- 
ger the  infantry  or  the  battery  in  front,  should  occasion  present 
.iivelf  to  open  upon  the  enemy.  Before  reaching  the  point  at  which 
Gen.  Lovell  was  stationed,  I  heard  brisk  cannonading,  and  enjoining 
(Jen.  Lovell,  near  wher.;  the  rear  liattery  was  placed,  found  that  it 
proceeded  from  our  advanced  batterj ,  which  was  being  replied  to  by  a 
rifle  gun  of  the  enemy. 

I  immediately  reported  for  orders  to  Gen.  Lovell,  who  directed  me 
to  ride  with  him  to  the  position,  held  by  the  advanced  batter}'.  On 
n-aching  that  point  and  finding  that  the  enemy  had  obtained  the  exact 
range  of  our  guns,  I  retired,  with  General  Lovell,  to  the  rear  battery, 
and  was  immediately  ordered  to  open  fire  with  the  Parrott  guns,  at 
hliort  intervals.  This  was  done,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  fire  of  the 
« nemy's  battery  ceased. 

I  then  a^ked  permission  of  the  Major  General  commanding  to  press 
the  enemy  and  drive  them  back,  and  upon  receiving  his  orders  to  do 
80,  with  information  that  General  Rust  had  been  ordered  to  manoeuvre 
on  my  right  with  parts  of  two  of  his  brigades,  rode  rapidly  to  the 
fiont,  ordering,  at  the  same  time,  the  11th  Mississippi  regiment,  under 
Major  Doss,  w^hich  had  been  held  in  reserve,  to  move  up  at  double- 
«>uick  and  take  position  on  the  extreme  right  of  my  line.  The  cavalry, 
under  Col.  Jackson,  numbering  about  seven  hundred,  were  placed  at 
my  disposal  also.  The  proper  disposition  of  the  forces  was  soon  made; 
orders  were  given  to  Gen.  Baldwin,  on  the  right,  and  to  Col.  A.  P. 
Thompson,  of  the  2d  division,  who  had  assumed  the  direction  of  the 
(Hh  Arkansas,  of  his  own  brigade,  to  deploy  the  right  companies  from 
each  regiment,  as  skirmishers,  one  hundred  paces  in  front  of  the  main 
line.  A  greater  distance  was  not  deemed  prudent,  as  the  woods  were 
very  dense  and  the  enemy  known  to  be  in  close  proximity.  The 
cavalry  was  formed  in  the  main  road  and  ordered  to  move  with  cau- 
tion in  rear  of  the  main  line.  The  line  of  skirmishers  being  formed 
and  everything  prepared,  orders  were  given  to  the  men  to  hold  their 
fire  until  within  fifty  yards ;  to  move  with  caution  until  the  enemy 
was  reached,  but  then  to  press  them  with  all  their  energy,  ^he 
command,  "forward,"  was  given,  and  both  skirmishers  and  the  main 
line  moved.  The  line  had  not  advanced  two  hundred  yards  before  the 
enemy  opened  on  our  left  a  brisk  fire.  This  was  answered  first  by  a  yell 
along  our  whole  line,  the  men  moving  rapidly  and  with  great  enthu- 
siasm until  they  were  within  good  range,  when  the  9th  Arkansas, 
directed  by  Col.  A.  P.  Thompson,  and  the  Sth  Kentucky,  under  Col. 
11.  B.  Lyon,  opened  fire  in  retuni.  Very  soon  the  fire  extended  to- 
wards our  right,  along  the  23d  Mississippi,  under  Lieut,  Colonel 
M'Carley,  and  the  26th  Mississippi,  under  Major  Parker.  The  order 
to  press  the  enemy  was  fully  carried  out,  and  they  were  not  allowed 
time  to  breathe,  and  though  making  two  gallant  stands  in  the  first 
mile,  they  were  driven  from  their  positions,  without  our  men  faltering 
for  a  moment.  The  tactics  cf  the  enemy  did  them  great  credit ;  their 
whole  force  consisted  of  mounted  infantry,  armed  with  Colt's,  Smith's 
and  Sharp's  most  approved  weapons,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.    The 


105 

country  over  which  they  had  to  pass  was  an  alternate  wood  and  field. 
On  being  driven  to  the  edge  of  a  field,  they  mounted  and  retreated 
across  it,  dismounting  and  sending  their  horses  to  the  rear.  They  had 
all  the  advantage  of  position,  being  covered  by  the  woodland,  whilst 
our  men  advanced  across  the  open  field.  At  these  points  the  fire  of 
the  enemy  was  terrific,  but  nothing  could  stop  the  onward  movement, 
and  our  men  moved  forward  without  slackening  their  pace  in  the  least. 
Having  driven  the  ei^emy  for  more  than  a  mile,  it  occurred  to  me, 
that  should  the  troops  of  Gen.  Rust's  command  not  have  moved  to 
their  left  far  enough  to  guard  my  right  flank,  that  I  might  run  some 
risk  of  being  outflanked.  To  guard  against  this,  I  detached  Lieut. 
Barbour,  commanding  my  body  guard,  with  a  portion  of  his  men,  with 
orders  to  move  at  full  speed  to-  my  extreme  right  and  take  position, 
with  his  men  well  extended,  and  watch  my  right  flank.  No  sooner 
had  he  reached  the  point  and  commenced  moving  up  Avith  our  main 
line  than  he  was  fired  upon  by  the  enemy.  Lieut.  Barbour  imme- 
diately sent  a  courier  informing  me  of  the  fact,  when  I  ordered 
the  14th  Mississippi,  under  Major  Doss,  to  move  at  double-quick,  by 
the  right  flank,  until  he  reached  the  point  occupied  by  Lieutenant 
Barbour ;  then  to  assume  his  original  front  and  press  them  again. 
During  all  this  time  the  enemy  were  interruptedly  diiven  from  every 
position,  and  forced  back  to  a  point  three  miles  from  Coflfeeville,  when 
on  reaching  a  commanding  position,  they  opened  fire  from  their  artil- 
lery again,  supported  by  the  severest  fire  of  musketry  we  had  yet  en- 
countered. The  heaviest  fire  was  encountered  by  the  9th  Arkansas 
regiment  and  the  8th  Kentucky  regiment.  Their  eff"orts  were,  how- 
ever, useless  ;  nothing  could  check  the  advance  of  our  men,  and  the 
position  was  carried  without  a  moment's  delay,  just  at  dark. 

It  occurred  to  me  a  few  moments  before  this,  that  a  dash  of  our 
cavalry  might  have  secured  the  piece  of  artillery  in  its  last  position ; 
but  it  would  have  involved  a  heavy  loss  of  life,  not  warranted,  under 
the  circumstances,  and  I  did  not  give  the  order.  Having  already 
driven  the  enemy  much  farther  than  was  ordered  by  a  message  from 
Gen.  Lovell,  I  gave  the  order  to  halt  and  cease  firing,  very  much  to 
the  chagrin  of  both  officers  and  men,  who,  notwithstanding  the  severe 
duties  and  deprivations  of  the  last  week,  seemed  to  forget  everything 
but  the  desire  showed  by  all  to  repay  the  injuries  sufl'ered  by  them- 
during  their  long  and  barbarous  imprisonment  at  the  North. 

The  14th  Mississippi,  Major  Doss  commanding,  towards  the  close, 
became  too  far  separated  from  the  main  command,  but  was  abundantly 
able  to  take  care  of  itself,  and  drove  back  the  enemy  in  their  front, 
killing  and  wounding  a  number,  among  them,  Lieut.  Col.  McCullough, 
who  was  shot  dead  within  twenty  paces  of  our  line.  This  regiment 
also  captured  seventeen  prisoners,  with  all  horses,  arms  and  accoutre- 
ments.' The  loss  on  our  part,  as  stated  in  my  note  to  Major  General 
Lovell,  of  the  6th  inst.,  is  known  to  be  accurately  as  follows  :  Killed, 
seven;  wounded,  forty -three.  That  of  the  enemy,  thirty-four  killed; 
among  them  Lieut.  Col.  McCullough  and  a  2d  lieutenant,  who  gave 
his  name  as  Woodbury,  (of  the  3d  Missouri)  just  before  expiring. 
The  wounded  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  accurately  ascertained,  inas- 


106 

much  as  all  ■who  were  not  too  badlj  wounded  were  removed  on  horse- 
back as  fast  as  they  fell.  Estimating  their  wounded  by  the  number 
killed,  in  the  same  ratio  as  that  known  to  exist  on  our  part,  the 
wounded  may  be  given  at  two  hundred  and  thirty-four,  which,  from 
the  number  seen  in  the  act  of  being  removed,  is  under  rather  tban 
over  the  actual  loss.  Sixteen  of  their  severely  wounded  fell  into  our 
hands.  Thirty-five  prisoners,  with  seventeen  horses  and  all  their 
arms  and  accoutrements,  were  captured. 

Among  the  prisoners  were  one  captain  and  several  non-commis- 
sioned officers.  The  wounded  on  both  sides  were  removed  at  once  to 
Coffeeville,  and  every  care  taken  of  them.  The  dead  were  buried  next 
morning.  The  body  of  the  Federal  lieutenant  Avas  decently  buried 
marked  on  the  headstone  so  that  it  could  be  recognized.  The  body 
of  Lieut.  Col.  McQullouck  was  not  secured.  The  command  returned 
to  its  first  position  near  Coflfeeville,  and  bivoucked  in  lino  of  battle. 
The  whole  affair  was  a  complete  success,  and  taught  the  enemy  a  lesson 
I  am  sure  they  will  not  soon  forget.  The  troops  behaved  in  the  most 
gallant  manner;  officers  and  men  emulated  each  other.  All  did  their 
duty  nobly.  _  I  take  especial  pleasure  in  mentioning  the  names  of 
Brigadier  General  W.  E.  Baldwin,  of  my  own  division,  and  Col.  A.  P. 
Thompson,  (commanding  a  brigade  in  Gen.  Rust's  division.)  These 
officers  in  command  on  my  right  and  left,  displayed  the  greatest  good 
judgment  and  gallantry.  The  brunt  of  the  battle  was  borne  by  the 
9th  Arkansas,  Col.  Dunlop;  8th  Kentucky,  Col.  H.  B.  Lyon  ;  the  23d 
Mississippi,  Lieut.  Col.  McCarley ;  and  the  26th  Mississippi,  under 
Major  Parker. 

I  have  seldom  seen  greater  good  judgoient  and  impetuous  gallantry 
shown  by  any  officers  or  men.  The  cavalry,  under  Col.  Jackson, 
maintained  the  most  perfect  order,  and  were  always  in  position  to 
answer  any  summons.  The  batteries  engaged  rendered  the  most 
efficient  service  up  to  the  time  of  my  ordering  to  advance.  The  first 
shot  fired  from  the  Parrott  guns  of  Captain  lledden's  battery,  under 
the  direction  of  Captain  Culbertson,  chief  of  artillery  of  my  division, 
wounded  Col.  Misner,  and  killed  his  orderly  and  three  men.  These 
facts  were  related  by  a  non  commissioned  officer  among  the  prisoners. 

My  thanks  are  especially  due  to  those  of  my  personal  staff,  who 
were  present.  Major  Watts,  Inspector  General ;  Major  Ilalliday, 
Chief  Commissary;  Lieut.  George  Moorman,  Aid-de  Camp  ;  Lieut. 
Tilghman,  Aid-de-Camp ;  rendered  the  most  efficient  and  valuable 
service. 

1  notice  with  great  pleasure,  also,  Lieut.  Barbour,  commanding  my 
body  guard,  together  with  Lieut.  Lundy,  of  that  company.  These 
officers  and  their  men  rendered  me  great  aid.  The  timely  service  of 
Lieut.  Barbour,  on  my  right  wing,  may  have  saved  us  probably  from 
serious  injury.  The  whole  force  engaged  on  our  side  may  be  .stated 
as  not  exceeding  thirteen  hundred  men,  whilst  the  enemy  is  known  to 
have  had  not  less  than  five  regiments,  numbering  not  less  than  thirty- 
five  hundred  men.  Enclosed,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  correct  list 
of  the  killed  and  wounded  on  our  side. 

I  regret  the  absence  of  Captain    Powhatan    Ellis,  chief  of  staff, 


107 

during  the  action.  He  was  engaged  at  my  headquarters  in  an  im- 
portant business,  I  vras  thus  deprived  of  his  valuable  services.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  others  of  my  stafif  who  were  absent  on  duty  at 
various  points. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

LLOYD  TILGHMAN, 
Commanding  \st  Div.  \st  Corps  Army  of  West  Tenn. 


CASUALTIES  IN  THE   ACTION  OF  5TH  DECEMBER,  1862, 
NEAR  COFFEEVILLE,  MISS. 

FfRST    Brigade,   First   Division,    First   Corps,    W.    E.    Baldwin, 
Brigadier    General  Commanding. 

Twenty-sixth  Mississippi  Regiment,  Major  Parke,  Commanding. 

killed. 

Private  J.    C.    Barret,  company   B, 
Private  W.  L,  McFarland,  company  C. 
Private  George  Socum,  company  C — Total  3. 

wounded. 
Sergeant  H.  L.  Parker,  company  B. 
Private  J.  H.  Hill,  company  A. 
Private  Andrew  Jackson,  company  H — Total  3. 

missing. 
Pravate  W.  L.  Griffith,  company  B — Total  1. 

Eighth  Kentucky  Regiment,  Col.  Lyon  Commanding. 

killed. 
Corporal  Talbot  Hart,  company  A. 

WOUNDED. 

Lieutenant  T.  B.  Jones. 
Private  John  Sockney,  company  A. 
Corporal  A.  B.  Crawley,  company  B, 
Private  J.  M.  Mount,  company  B.         , 
Private  J.  J.  Turner,  company  C. 
Private  Jacob  Campbell,  company  D. 

missing. 
Private  J.  R.  Lavender,  company  A. 
Private  J.  H.  Roback,  company  A. 
Private  W.  Davis,  company  C. 
Private  E.  Davis,  company  I. 

Total — Killed,  one  (1  ;)  wounded,  six  (6;)  missing,  four  (4;) 


108 
Twenty-third  3Iississippi  Regiment,  Lieut.  Col.  McCarley  Commanding. 

KILLED. 

Private  D,  L.  Newlin,  company  A. 
Private  J.  G.  Eaves,  company  A. 

WOUNDED. 

Lieut   B.  Tapp,  company  E.  ^ 

Private  C.  N.  Simpson,  company  I. 
Sergeant  R.  W.  lloberston,  company  A. 
Private  D.  T.  Rutherford,  company  A. 
Private  P.  Mahundro,  company  A. 
Private  A.  J.  Wildman,  company  B. 
Private  F.  M.  Jones,  company  D. 
Private  A.  J.  Ross,  company  D. 
Private  J.  S.   Doty,  company  D. 
Private  R.  R.  Bullock,  company  F. 
Private  J.  F.  Davis,  company  F. 
Private  John  Baxter,  company  I. 
Private  John  Beard,  company  I. 
.  Private  F.  M.  Barton,  company  K. 

Total — Killed,  two  (2;)  wounded,  fovirteen  (14;)  missing,  four  (4.) 

Fourieenth  Mississippi  Regiment,  Major  W.  L.  Doss  Commanding. 

WOUNDED. 

Sergeant  W.  W.  Eggerton,  company  D. 
Private  B.  F.  Matthews,  company  I. 
Private  W.  I.  Gentry,  company  F — Total  3, 

Grand  Total — Killed,  six  (6;)  wounded,  twenty-six  (26;)  missing 
nine  (9.) 

Second   Brigade,  Second    Division,   First   Corps,  Colonel   A.    P. 
Thompson,   Commanding.  * 

Ninth  Regiment  Arkansas  Volunteers,  only  regimert  of  said  brigade  under 

fire. 

KILLED. 

Private  Henry  Byers,  company  C. 

WOUNDED. 

Private  James  Craig,  company  A. 
Private  L.  F.  Taylor,  company  A 
Private  P.  Ilolcombe,  company  A. 
Private  George   Lepham,  company  B. 
Private  II.  II.  Pollard,  company  D. 
Private  C.  C.  Jones,  company  D, 
Private  John  Walsh,  company  D, 
Private  Wm.  Eubanks,  company  D. 
Private  G.  W.  Robertson,  company  E. 


109 

Private  W.  M.  Purtle,-  company  E. 
Private  J.  Bono,  company  E. 
Private  E.  D.  Cozarf,'  company  F. 
Private  R,  W.  McCam,  q^pany  F. 
Private  T.  G.  Ross,  company  K. 
Sergeant  A.  Gainey,  company  H. 
Corp'l  Love,  company  H. 
Private  George  Hudson,  company  H. 

MISSING. 

Private  8.  M.  Crawford,  company  E, 

Total — Killed,  one  (1;)  wounded,  seventeen  (17;)  missing,  one  (1.) 
Grand  total — Killed,  seven  (7;)  wounded,  forty-three  (43;)  missing, 
ten  (10.) 

I  certify  that  the  above  is  a  correct  return,  as  reported, 

LLOYD  TILGHMAN. 
Brigadier  General  Commanding  \st  Division, 


•> 


FORT  J)ONELSON. 


REPORT    OF    THE   ACTION   AND    CASUALTIES    OF   THE 
BRIGADE  COMMANDED  BY  COL.  J.  M.  SIMONTON. 


Jackson,  Miss.,  September  24,  1862. 
Gen.  S.  Cooper,  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  C.  S.  A.  : 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  report  of  the  action  and 
casualties  of  the  brigade  I  commanded  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Donclson 
on  the  15th  February,  1862.  I  have  been  prevented  from  doing  so 
sooner  from  the  discourtesy  of  the  Federal  authorities  either  to  allow 
me  to  make  it  to  a  supeiior  officer  in  captivity  with  me,  (but  in  a 
difUMcnt  prison,)  or  in  any  other  way;  and  I  now  make  this  report  to 
you  direct,  because  I  do  not  know  the  whereabouts  of  the  proper 
division  commanders,  and  from  a  desire  to  do  justice  to  the  gallant 
officer.*  and  men  under  my  command  upon  the  bloody  field  ;  also,. that 
the  government  may  know  wlio  not  only  bravely  met  the  invading  foe, 
but  shed  their  blood  in  defence  of  the  most  holy  cause  for  which 
freemen  ever  fought;  antl  that  their  famlies,  in  after  times,  may  reap 
the  benefits  of  their  noble  deeds,  and  costly  sacrifices. 

On  Saturday,  February  16th,  1862,  about  one  o'clock,  A.  ]S\.,  I 
received  a  verbal  order  from  J3ri  gadier  General  Pillow  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  brigade,  commanded  up  to  that  by  Colonel  Davidson,  of 
the  third  Mississippi,  (and  properly  the  brigade  of  Brigadier  General 
Clark  of  Mississippi,)  con:posed  of  the  following  regiments,  viz : 
third  Mississippi,  Colonel  Davidson.  Licutcutant  Colonel  Wells  com- 
manding;  first  Mississippi,  Colonel  Simonton,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hamilton  commanding,  seventh  Texas,  Colonel  Gregg  commanding, 
eighth  Kentucky,  Colonel  Burnett,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Lyons  com- 
manding, forty-second  Tennessee,  Colonel  Quarles  commanding.  The 
last  regiment  named,  however,  was  detached  previous  to  going  into 
the  action,  and  from  which  1  have  received  no  report.  In  obedience 
to  orders,  the  brigade  was  formed  in  column  under  the  crest  of  the 
hill  in  rear  of  and  to  the  left  of  the  rifle  pits  occupied  by  our  army, 
and  in  rear  of  the  brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  Baldwin  of  the 
fourteenth   Mississippi,  in   which   position   we   remained   until   five 


Ill 

o'clock,  A:  M.  The  enemy  were  in  position  behind  the  crests  of  a 
number  of  small  hills  in  front,  and  to  the  right  of  our  rifle  pits,  and 
encircling  our  entire  left  wing.  At  the  hour  above  mentioned  Col- 
onel Baldwin  received  orders  to  move  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy 
and  attack  them  on  the  right;  I  was  ordered  to  follow  with  my  com- 
mand, which  order  I  obeyed,  but,  owing  to  the  ground  and  timber, 
we  were  compelled  to  march  by  the  flank,  and  had  not  moved  more 
than  four  hundred  yards  when  the  head  of  the  column  was  fired  upon.  < 
I  immediately  sent  an  order  to  Lieutentant  Colonel  Wells  to  face  his 
right  wing  to  the  right,  and  wheel  it  to  the  right,  so  that  I  might 
occupy  a  position  on  Colonel  Balwin's  right,  (the  one  General  Pillow 
had  directed,)  but  by  some  misunderstanding  of  the  order,  or  its 
being  miscarried.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wells  charged  his  front  forward 
on  first  company,  breaking  my  line  at  the  left  of  his  regiment.  I 
then  ordered  Lieutenant  Colonel  Lyon,  of  the  eighth  Kentucky,  to 
file  right,  and  move  by  the  flank,  at  double  time,  which  the  gallant 
ofii^er  obe\  ed  under  a  heavy  fire  of  the  enemy's  musketry.  Before 
they  had  completed  the  movement  many  of  his  noble  men  had  bravely 
fallen,  but  they  held  the  position  determinedly,  and  immediately  I 
ordered  Colancl  Gregg,  of  the  seventh  Texas,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hamilton,  of  the  first  Mississippi,  to  move  their  respective  regiments, 
at  double  quick,  in  rear  and  beyond  the  eighth  Kentucky,  which 
movement  those  oflicers  executed  with  as  much  coolness,  and  their 
commands,  iu  as  good  order  as  if  they  had  been  on  review.  I,  at  the 
same  time,  dispatched  an  order  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wells  to  occupy 
the  position  on  the  left  of  the  eighth  Kentuclcy.  (I  make  this  expla- 
nation to  show  how  the  regiments  changed  position  in  going  into  action, 
and  that  justice  may  be  done  to  all  as,  near  as  possible  )  This  threw  mo. 
in  line  of  battle  in  the  foUoAving  order :  Seventh  Texas  on  the  right, 
first  Mississippi  regiment,  second  ;  eighth  Kentucky,  third,  and  third 
Mississippi,  on  the  left,  and  in  front  of  the  left  of  General  McClear- 
nand's  division  of  the  Federal  army.  During  this  entire  time  the 
enemy  kept  up  a  continuous  volley  of  musketry,  with,  however,  but 
little  efl"ect — most  of  the  balls  passing  over  us.  1  now  ordered  the 
entire  command  to  advance  and  occupy  the  crest  of  the  hill,  which 
was  executed  with  a  coolness  and  steadiness  that  would  have  done 
honor  to  soldiers  of  an  hundred  battles.  That  heroic  band  of  less 
than  fifteen  hundred  in  number,  marched  up  the  hill,  loading  and 
firing  as  they  moved,  gaining  inch  by  inch,  on  an  enemy  at  least  four 
times  their  •umber.  For  one  long  hour  this  point  was  hotly  contested 
by  the  enemy,  and  many  gallant  officers  and  brave  men  fell  in  the 
faithful  discharge  of  their  duty;  among  whom  was  the  lamented  and 
daring  laeut.  Col.  Clough  of  the  seventh  Texas,  together  with  a  num- 
ber of  company  officers,  whose  names  are  mentioned  in  the  list  of 
killed  and  wounded. 

At  this  moment  [  was  informed  by  an  Adjutant  that  the  command 
was  running  short  of  ammunition.  I  immediately  dispatched  an  aid, 
Captain  Ryan,  to  Gtneral  Pillow  for  reinforcements,  and  at  the  same 
time  ordered  Colonel  Gregg  to  move  his  regiment  further  to  the  right 
to  prevent  a  flank  movement  I  discovered  the  enemy  were  attempting  to 


112 

make,  and  the  remainder  of  my  command  to  charge  the  enemy's  lines, 
which  movements  were  executed  with  a  spirit  and  determination  that 
insured  success.  The  enemy's  lines  gave  way,  and  the  rattle  of  mus- 
ketry was  drowned  by  the  shouts  of  victory  that  rose  along  the  lines 
of  men  conscious  of  superiority  and  right.  The  enemy,  however, 
again  rallied  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  a  few  hundred  yards  in  rear 
of  their  first  position,  and  in  rear  of  four  pieces  of  artillery,  (of 
Swartz's  battery.)  The  line  of  my  brigade,  in  the  charge  over 
the  hills  and  in  passing  through  the  enemy's  camp,  having  be- 
come somewhat  broken,  I  ordered  the  commandant  to  halt  and 
rectify  their  allignmcnts,  which  was  quickly  done  ;  and  being  now 
informed  by  Captain  Ryan  that  the  fifty-sixth  Virginia  regiment 
was  on  my  left,  I  again  ordered  an  advance,  which  was  promptly 
obeyed  by  all ;  and  soon  the  enemy  was  again  driven  from  his  position, 
and  four  pieces  of  Swartz's  battery  in  our  possession.  The  enemy 
continued  to  fall  back,  contesting  the  crest  of  every  hill,  until  we  had 
driven  them  over  one  and  a  half  miles,  and  had  possession  of  the 
ground  occupied  by  the  left  of  McClcrnand's  and  Wallace's  division  of 
the  Federal  army.  The  enemy  had  disappeared  behind  the  crests  of 
a  range  of  hills  about  hdf  a  mile  in  our  front,  and  in  the  direction  of 
their  transports.  At  this  point  I  was  ordered  to  halt  my  command 
and  await  further  orders.  In  the  meantime  the  brigade  was  furnished 
with  ammunition,  (chiefly  gathered  from  the  slain  of  the  enemy,)  the 
lines  rectified,  and  the  command  brought  to  a  rest ;  in  which  position 
we  remained  for  a  considerable  time,  until  orders  came  for  us  to  march 
inside  the  rifle  pits,  which  order  was  obeyed  without  the  fire  of  a  gun 
or  even  a  sight  of  the  foe,  unle.-s  he  was  wounded  or  a  prisoner.  I 
had  not  fully  occupied  my  position  in  the  rifle  pits  when  an  order  came 
to  me  to  move  at  double  quick  to  the  right  of  our  line.  The  men 
were  again  ordered  into  line,  and  moved  in  the  direction  indicated, 
but  before  arriving  at  the  specified  point  another  order  was  received 
to  return.  Thus  ended  the  battle  of  February  15th,  1862,  so  far  as 
the  brigade  I  commanded  participated. 

The  number  killed,  and  in  each  regiment,  as  per  Adjutants'  reports, 
is  as  follows  : 

Third  Mississippi  Regiment,  546  men  and  officers 
Eighth  Kentucky  "         312     "  " 

Seventh  Texas  '*         305     "  " 

First  Mississippi  <*         331     "  " 


billed. 

Wounded. 

5 

46 

27 

72 

20 

39 

16  . 

61 

1494  68  218 

Making  a  total  of  286  killed  and  wounded  out  of  1494  ofl'icers  and 
men,  I  respectfully  refer  you  to  documents  A,  B,  C,  D  for  the  names 
of  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  diflferent  regiments,  I  cannot  call 
especial  attention  to  one  of  the  field  oflficers  under  my  command  with- 
out doing  injustice  to  the  others,  Li^tenant  Colonel  Wells,  assisted 
by  Captains  Kennedy  and  Wells,  of  the  third  Mississippi ;  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Lyon,  assisted  by  Major  Henry  of  the  eighth  Kentucky; 
Colonel  Gregg,  Lieutenant   Colonel  Clough  and  Major  Granbury  of 


113 

the  seventh  Texas  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hamilton  and  Major  Johnston 
of  the  first  Mississippi,  all  vron  for  themselves  the  confidence  of  their 
commands  and  are  entitled  to  the  highest  commendation  of  their  country- 
men. Captain  R,  B.  Ryan  and  Sergeant-Major  T.  II.  Wilson,  acted  as 
my  aids  and  discharged  their  duty  gallantly.  It  would  give  me  much 
pleasure  to  mention  the  names  of  company  officers  who  distinguished 
themselves  for  efficiency  and  gallantry,  but  their  conduct  will  be  made 
known  by  their  respective  regimental  commanders. 
I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  M.  SIMONTON, 
Colonel  First  Mississippi  JRegimeni, 
Commanding  ^Brigade  at  Battle  of  Fort  Donelson. 


REPORT  of  the  Third  Regiment  Mississippi   Volunteers  at  the  battle  of 
Fort   Do7ielso?i,  on    the    \5th   of  February,  1862. 


1            i 

Letter  of  Cotnpa'y. 

Men  Engaged. 

•a 

i 

■a 
u 

■3 
C 

g 

■a 

■o 

a 
a 
o 

•a* 

•o 
a 
t^ 

a 

Oi 

70 
52 
4S 
85 
79 
62 
45 
46 
64 
60 

o. 

Commanders. 

Kank. 

A. 

•    n. 

0. 

D. 

E. 

60 
64 
62 
40 
81 
56 
48 
4.5 
r)9 
51 

2 
8 

1 
1 

2 

1  • 
3 

"■"4" 

'"2" 

'  12"' 
4 
7 
15 

"2" 

1 

A.  J.  Gibson. 

R.  J   Hill. 

G.  W.   H.  Garrett.    " 

R.  B.  Allen. 

A.  D.  Saddler. 
T.   B.  n    Flint 

J.  H.  Bidlespenger. 
J.  W.  Dou?la3. 
W.  0.  Swindell. 

B.  F.  Saunders. 

Cai)tain. 

2d  Liputenant. 

Captain. 

1st  Lieutenant. 

2-1  lieutenant. 
Captain. 

F. 
G. 
H. 
1. 
K. 

2 
2 
3 

1 

Total . . . 

546 

5 

16 

11 

561 

43 

Captain  J.  II.  Kennedy,  of  company  '*E,"  acted  as,  Lieutenant 
Colonel;  Captain  E.  M,  Wells,  company  "  H,"  as  Major,  and  Lieu- 
tenant C.  N.  Simpson,  company  "  I,"  as  Adjutant,  during  the  en- 
gagement of  this  day.  The  other  officers  who  were  absent  from  their 
post  were  either  sick  or  wounded.  This  refers  to  both  field  and  com- 
pany officers.  Surgeon  N.  W.  Moody  and  his  Assistant,  J.  N. 
Thompson,  were  at  their  posts  and  acted  nobly. 

From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  the  number,  surrendered  and 
•scaped  exceed  the  number  engaged.  The  most  of  this  surplus  was 
on  detached  service,  either  as  nurses  in  hospital,  wagoners  or  with  the 
artillery;  the  remaining  number  were  reported  sick.  Below  I  give 
the  names  of  the  killed  and  wounded  in  full ;  those  marked  severely 
wounded  were  all  sent  to  Clarksville,  Tennessee. 

Company  A. — Privates  George  A.  Green  and  J.  W.  Hall,  severely. 

Company  B. — Privates  J.  M,  Bannill,  B.  F.  Barton  and  David 
Jones  severely,  and  R.  M.  Nelson,  slightly. 

Coinpany  Q. — Orderly  Sergeant  J.  E.  Johnson,  severely;  privates 
William  Ragan  and  D.  A.  Fowler,  slightly. 
8 


114 

Company  D. — Private  R.  V.  Lumpkin,  killed;  Corporal  M.  A. 
Cordod,  severely  and  W.  D.  Deloach,  slightly  wounded. 

Company  II. — Lieutenant  N.  W.  Roach  and  privates  George  Steel 
A.  T.  Wages,  severely  wounded. 

Company  it.— Private  Philip  Amel,  killed. 

Company  E. — Sergeant  B.  T.  Wallis,  and  privates  Joseph  Petty 
and  J.  C.  Saylors,  slightly  wounded. 

Company  F. — Private  W.  R  Cam})bell,  killed;  privates  W.  R. 
Skillman  and  W.  A.  Gentry,  severely  wounded.- 

Company  G. — Private  Tandy  F.  Bright,  killed ;  captain  More 
McCarthy  and  private  John  L.  Rutherford,  severely  wounded. 

Company  I. — Private  W.  G.  Williams,  killed;  privates  Joseph 
Roach,  severely,  and  L.  Dunlop,  J.  H.  Duff,  W.  H.  Bailey  and  H. 
W.  Mayes,  slightly  wounded. 


Killed  and  wounded  of  the  Sth  Kentucky  Regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  H. 
B.  Lyon,  surrendered  at  Fort  Donelson,  Tenn.,  \^th  February,  1862. 

Company  A — Killed — Sergeant  F.  Bryant,  Privates  John  Prather, 
John  Buchanan,  M.  Hays  and  J.  M.  Thompkins. 

Wounded — R.  C.  Clayton,  Thomas  H.  Jones,  W.  H.  Jones,  serious- 
ly ;  E.  G.  Orr,  I.  H.  Gates,  H.  Stodghill,  A.  Yarbrough  and  R.  Night, 
slightly. 

Company  B — Killed — Privates  L.  C.  MeConnel,  J.  M.  Howell, 
Robert  Wilson,  James  Carney,  J.  W.  Chapell. 

Wounded— R.  P.  McAliston,  N.  B.  Howell,  J.  S.  Goodwin,  G.  W. 
Barnes,  J.  W.  Thompson,  severely  ;  Captain,  J.  Bingham,  2d  Lieut. 
W.  L.  Dunning,  Privates  C.  B.  Wolf  and  J.  E.  Smith,  slightly. 

Company  C— Killed— Privates  A.  B.  Son,  M.  B.  Adkins,  J.  0. 
Stall,  and  Isaac  Fulds.    . 

Wounded — Sergeant  H.  T.  Rowland,  Privates  Joseph  Endfield,  E. 
A.  Edwards,  J.  F.  Sinton,  severely  ;  J.  Balentine,  John  Waltrip, 
slightly. 

Company  D — Killed — Privates  H.  B.  Boston  and  J.  J.  Jones. 

Wounded — E.  Mitchell,  C.  U mphreys,  Thos.  Cheat,  A.  E.  Reese,  L. 
L.  Alashan,  severely  ;  Captain  J.  A.  Buckner,  Lieutenant  F.  G.  Terry, 
Privates  J.  E.  Strong  and  R.  H.  Greenwood,  slightly. 

Company  E — Killed — Privates  L.  T.  Perry,  H.  B.  Reaves,  J.  L. 
Dent  and  H.  R.  McNeill. 

Wounded — D.  L.  Lawrence,  A.  Simpson,  J.  D.  Prior,  severely; 
Ist  Lieut.  J.  E.  Burchard,  Privates  D.  M.  Russell,  James  Canady,  J. 
F.  Mason,  B.  C.  Hall,  slightly. 

Company  F — Killed — Privates  R.  M.  Burnett. 

Wounded — 1st  Lieut.  G.  H.  Page,  Sergeants  J,  F.  Bedford,  J.  A. 
Daniel,  Privates  William  0.  Anderson,  C.  F.  Duerson,  G.  D.  Ed- 
wards, J.  Fry  and  J.  N.  Miller,  severely.  « 

Company  F — Killed — Private  A.  Sutor. 


115 

Wounded— 1st  Lieut.  A.  J.  Sish,  Privates  A.  J.  Lofton,'  N.  W. 
Weathers,  A.  Ferril,  J.  W.  Brock  and  W.  Woodward. 

Company  H — Killed — Privates  G.  W.  Doake,  W.  Eastwood. 

Wounded-^lst  Lieutenant  J.  N.  Goodloe,  2d  Lieut.  J.  J,  Dennia, 
Corporal  W.  B.  Worthington,  Privates  Stephen  Pitts,  James  Basset^ 
L.  Dorsett,  W.  P.  Donnahoe,  severely;   Benjamin  Johnson,  slightly. 

Company  I — Killed — Jst  Lieut.  W.  J.  Clements,  Private  John 
Clarke. 

Wounded — Privates  J.  A.  Thomas,  mortally,  (since  dead ;)  G.  Price, 
Sergeant  B.  D.  Morton,  Albert  Hamkins,  Privates  S.  D.  Robertson, 
J.  B.  Sish,  A.  R.  Walker,  James  Durlin,  W.  E.  Price,  W.  J.  Davis, 
slightly. 

Total — Killed,  27  ;  wounded,  72  ;  aggregate,  99. 

COUCH,  Adjutant. 


Killed  and  wounded  of  Col  John  Greggs  Regiment  of  Texas  Volunteers^ 
{unumhered  by  War  Department.) 

Field  and  Staff — Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  M.  Clough,  killed  on  the 
15th  February. 

Company  A,  McLelland  county,  Texas. 
Captain  C.  N.  Alexander,  slightly  wounded,  (escaped.) 
Ist  Lieutenant  E.  B.  Rosson,  killed  on  the  13th  February, 
2d         *«         J.  W.  Nowlin,       ''         **       15th         '* 
Ist  Corporal  W.  Bennett,  missing. 
Private  H.  H.  Dechered,  severely  wounded. 
R.  W.  Gray,  *♦  *' 

**       B.  F.  Moffet,  "  " 

"         J.  Rodgers,  slightly       .        " 

♦'        C.  B.  Sledd,  missing, 

Company  B,  Upsher  county,  Texas. 
2d  Lieutenant  John  H.  Corin,  slightly  wounded. 
2d  Sergeant  D.  Aaden,    .  "  *« 

Private  A.  H.  Appleton,  «  « 

T.  B.  Brooks,  killed. 
"        Geoge  Echols,  "  " 

G.  T.  Ford,  " 

**        James  Roberston,  killed. 

Company  C,  Kaufman  county  Texasi 
Private   Charles  Allen,  killed, 

•*        James  A.  Morris,     ** 

♦«        W.  J.  McDonald,     " 

'♦        John  H.  Boykin,  mortally  wounded. 

•♦        J.  H.  Murdock,  severely  ** 

"        J.  L.  Wells,  slightly 


116 

Company  D,  Harrison  county,  Texas. 

3d  Lieutenant  A.  G.  Adams,  slightly  wounded. 

Private  Thomas  J.  Beale,  '*  " 

**       C.  Fisher,  severely,  ** 

"       J.  Stevens,         "  " 

"■       B.  F.  Manson,  "  " 

"       B.  A.  Duncan,    "  •         ." 

"       John  M.  Cave,  killed. 

"       James  R.  Hudson,  ** 

"       M.  Karsch,  ♦* 

3d  Sergeant  Thomas  S.  Jennings,  killed. 

Company  E,  Cherokee  county,  Texas. 
Private  J.  Y.  B.  Atwood,  slightly  wounded. 
"       B.  Gallagher,  "  ♦• 

Company  F,  Smith  county,  Texas. 
Private  John  Moore,  killed. 

"       Valentine,         *' 

"       Shackleford,      " 

**       Delay,  slightly  wounded, 

"       Hicks,         '' 

"       Harrison,    **  " 

Company  F  had  no  commissioned  officers  present  during  the  en- 
gagement, and  for  the  time  being  was  placed  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Alexander,  Company  A. 

Company  G,  Freestone  county,  Texas.  * 

Private  W.  A.  Mclllveen,  killed, 

"       J.  N.  Mayo,  " 

"       W.  F.  Simms,  ** 

"       W.  L.  Neal, 
2d  Sergeant  C.  AV.  Love,  severely  wounded. 
Private  J.  L.  Means,  "  " 

J.  E.  Smith, 

*'       Robert  A.  High,  slightly 

"       Thomas  A.  Jordan,    "  " 

'  Company  H,  Harrison  county,  Texas. 
Captain  W.  B.  Hill,  killed. 
Private  R.  0.  Sheppherd,    " 
1st  Sergeant  J.  M.  Jones,  slightly  wounded. 
Private  B.  C.  Pleasants 

"       J.  W.  Rodgers,  *• 

*'       R.  H.  Walker, 

**       J.  A.  Turner,  " 

*'       C.  Ellis,  severely 

"       J.  0.  McCracker,  severely 

Company  I,  Rusk  county,  Texas. 

Private  Charles  Kavanaugh,  severely  Abounded. 

«       D.  M.  McHinley, 

"       James  Crocker,  slightly  " 


117 


RECAPITULATION. 


Killed.     Wounded.     Missing. 
2  5  2 

2  5 

3  3 

4  6 
2 

3  3 

ii  5 

2  7 

3 

Total,  20  39  2 

Our  regiment  numbered  391  at  **  Donelson,"  of  which  number  305 
were  in  the  fight  on  Saturday.  Sixty-one  were  killed,  wounded  and 
missing  ;  7  escaped,  and  334  surrendered  as  prisoners  of  war. 

W.  D.  DOUGLAS, 

Adjutant. 


Company 

A. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

E. 

F. 

G. 

H. 

I. 

Report  of  the  killed  and  wounded^  and  number  in  action  of  the  1st  Mis- 
sissippi regiment  at  the  battle  of  Donelson,  fought  February  loth, 
1862. 

Field  and  staff,  in  action,  7.  *    • 

Company  A,  commanded  by  Captain  G.  M.  Mosely ;  in  action,  34. 
Q.  R.  Snoddy,  1st  Lieutenant,  killed. 

A.  Arnaud,  Sergeant,  "  * 

Samuel  Nesbit,  Corporal,  *' 

Avon  Glitzman,  private,  severely  wounded. 
,E.  J.  Crenshaw,  Sergeant,     *'  " 

L.  H.  Martin,  private,  <<  «' 

W.  H.  McRae,  private,  slightly         *' 
I.  F.  Mosely,         "  "  " 

C.  J.  Boyd,  "  ^ 

J.  Smylie,  "  "  " 

J.  Thompson,         "  "  " 

T.  A.  Proctor,       "  <<  « 

J.  R.  Howard,  Corporal,        *'  ** 

W.  H.  King,  private,  '*  '* 

Samuel  Collins,      "  ''  " 

In  action,  34  ;  killed,  5  ;  wounded,  12. 

Company  B,    commanded    by    1st  Lieutenant  H.  W.  Waldrop  ;  in 
action,  32. 
James  L.  Taylor,  2d  Lieutenant,  killed. 
H.  Livingston,  private,  killed. 
L.  W.  McShan,       "       severely  wounded. 


lis 

G.  R.  Manscille,  Jr.,  Ist  Sergeant,  slightly  wounded. 

J.  A.  H.  Keys,             "  "             '<  «< 

Joseph  Ford,  private,  "  " 

T.  W.  Mills,       "  "  « 

B.  R.  Price,  "  .  «*  « 
Noah  Webster,  **  '*  ** 
In  action,  32 ;  killed,  2  ;  wounded,  T. 

Company  C,  commanded  by  2d  Lieutenant  J.  N.  Davis. 
William  Nixon,  Sergeant,  killed. 

C.  L.  Billingsly,  private,       " 

W.  L.  Wilson,  Sergeant,  slightly  wounded. 
William  Milan,  private,          "  " 

In  action,  34;  killed,  2;  wounded,  4. 

Company  D,  commanded  by  Ist  Lieutenant  J.  C.  Cubbertson. 
J.  G.  Martin,  private,  killed. 
R.  D.  Neighbors,  private,  killed. 
Moses  Johnson,  private,  slightly  wounded. 
John  Scott,  "  "  " 

Wm.  Williams,       **       seriously      '* 
W.  L.  Carson,  Corporal,  slighhtly  wounded. 
In  action,  33  ;  killed,  2 ;  wounded,  4. 

Company  E,  commanded  by  1st  Lieutenant  J.  C.  Wilbourne. 
W:  T.  Simmons,  Ist  Sergeant,  killed. 
James  Rayburn,  private,  '* 

C.  L.  Dalton,  "         slightly  wounded. 
Q.  T.  Martin,  "  "  " 

T.  F.  Taylor,  **  "  " 

W.  L.  Ilargis,  "         severely      ** 

In  jfttion,  33;  killed,  2;  wounded,  4. 

Company  F,  commanded  by  2d  Lieutenant  W.  D.  Ilowdge. 
James  W.  Wolfe,  private,  killed. 
W.  H.  Neely,  "       severely  wounded. 

D.  L.  Wolfe, 

J.  Milam,  **        slightly        " 

J.  T.  Meachem,         '*  ''  ** 

M.  L.  Mabley  Brent,  2d  Lieutenant,  slightly  wounded. 

In  action,  28;  killed,  I  ;  wounded,  5. 
•  Company  G,  commanded  by  1st  Lieutenant  J.  C.  Davis. 

C.  F.  Davis,  private,  severely  wounded. 

W.  L.  Boyd,       " 

Levi  Magey,       *'         slightly 

•C.F.  Knight,     '' 

James  Powell,     "  " 

I  W.  Shields,     *' 

In  action,  26  ;  wounded,  6. 
'  Campany  H,  commanded  by  Captain  M.  L.  Alcam. 

G.  B.  Dyer,  1st  Lieutenant,  killed. 

T.  T.  Gilmour,  Sergeant,  ** 


119 

H.  F,  Brooke,  private,  severely  -^N'ounded, 
G.  W.  Crouch,       "  "  " 

W.  D.  Allen,         "       slightly         *' 
R.  L.  L.  Weaver,    " 
E.  D.  Sallis,  Sergeant,       " 
Inaction,  38;  killed,  2;  wounded,  5. 

Company  K,  commanded  by  Captain  0.  D.  Hughes. 
W.  H.  Namy,  Brevet  2d  Lieutenant,  slightly  wounded. 
J.  W.  Rhyme,  Sergeant,  .  "  " 

J.  J.  Cunningham,  Sergeant,  **  ** 

R.  S.  Whittey,  Corporal,  "  '* 

L.  S.  Johnson,  private,  **  '• 

W.  W.  Whittey,     "       severely  wounded. 
In  action,  2-1 ;  wounded,  G. 

Company  I,  commanded  by  Captain  J.  M.  Prtlcr. 
James  M.  Fry,  private,  killed. 
John  B.  Moore,  private,  killed. 
T.  C.  Smith,  **         severely  wounded. 

D.  H.  Strickland, 
T.  P.  Butler,  "         slightly 

W.  P.  Juniper, 
John  II.  Maley, 
J.  W.  Montgomery, 
J.  F.  Phelps, 
In  action,  42  ;  killed,  2  ;  wounded,  7. 


Summary  report  of  the  \st  Mississippi  regiment. 


Field  and  Staff, 
Company  A,  - 
Company  B, 
Comoany  C,    - 
Company  D, 
Company  E,    - 
Company  F, 
Company  G,    - 
Company  H, 
Company  I,     - 
Company  K, 


Killed.     Wounded.     In  acliou. 


/ 

3 

12 

34 

2 

7 

32 

2 

4 

34 

2 

4 

33 

2 

4 

33 

1 

o 

28 

6 

26 

2 

5 

38 

2 

7 

42 

6 

•  21 

16 


61 


331 


Respectfully  submitted  to  John  M.  Simonton,  Colonel  commanding 
brigade,  by 

Lieut.  Colonel  A.  A.  HAMILTON, 
Commanding  1st  Mississippi  regiment. 
G.  V.  Simonton,  per  Adjutant. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  DANIEL  RUGGLES 
OF  THE  PART  TAKEN  BY  HIS  DIVISION  AT  BATON 
ROUGE,  LA. 


Headquarters  2kd  Division,  1st  District,  \ 

Army  East  of  the  Mississippi,      \ 

Camp  Breckinridge,  August  9,  1862.  ) 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit,  for  the  consiileration  of  the 
Major  General  commanding  the  forces,  the  following  report  of  the- 
fart  taken  by  my  division  in  the  action  of  the  oth  inst.,  at  Baton 
Rouge.  The  second  division  was  composed  of  two  brigades,  the  first 
consisting  of  the  third  Kentucky  regiment.  Captain  Bowman,  sixth 
Kentucky,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cofer,  seventh  Kentucky,  Col.  Crossland 
and  thirty-fifth  Alabama,  Colcnel  Robertson.  The  second  brigade  of 
the  fourth  Louisiana  regiment.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hunter,  battalion 
of  thirtieth  Louisiana  regiment,  Colonel  J.  H.  Breaux,  battalion  of 
Stewart's  Legion,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Boyd,  and  Confederate  Light 
Battery,  Captain  O.J.  Sommes,  with  two  companies  mounted  men  and 
some  two  hundred  and  fifty  partisan  rangers,  detached  on  scouting 
and  outpost  service. 

On  the  night  of  the  4th  August,  this  division  proceeded  from 
Corinth  bridge,  marching  left  in  front;  Semmcs'  light  battery  in  the 
rear  of  left  battalion  fourth  Louisiana  volunteers,  a  detachment  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Shields;  thirtieth  Louisiana  volunteers, 
consisting  of  one  company  from  his  regiment,  coifimanded  by  Captain 
Boyle  ;  one  company  partisan  rangers,  commanded  by  Captain  Anuker; 
one  company  mounted  i-angers  and  a  section  of  Semmes'  battery, 
under  Lieutenant  Fanutlcroy,  had  preceded  the  march  of  the  divission. 
Laving  left  camp  at  four  and  a  half  P.  ]\f.,  to  operate  on  the  plank 
road  leading  from  Baton  Rouge  to  Clinton,  on  our  extreme  right. 
The  head  of  the  division  column,  preceded  by  a  company  of  mounted 
rangers  and  advanced  guard,  reached  ward's  creek  bridge,  on  tho 
Greenwell  Springs  and  Baton  Rouge  road,  about  three  o'clock  A.  M., 
where  a  temporary  halt  was  called,  preparatory  to  the  formation  of 
the  division  line  of  battle.  During  this  halt,  while  the  advance  was 
driving  in  the-  enemy's  pickets,  some  stragglers  from  the  column  were 
mistaken  for  enemy's  pickets,  and  fired  on.  The  mistake  being  mu- 
tual, in  the  darkness  a  few  shots  were  exchanged,  unfortunately 
disabling  General  Helm  and  killing  Lieutenant  Todd.  This  necessa- 
rily caused  some  confusion.     Order,  however,  was  soon  restored  and 


121 

the  column  piarclied  to  the  point  whence  the  deployment  was  to  com- 
mence. The  line  was  formed  a  little  before  daylight.  Colonel 
Thompson's  brigade  (the  first)  with  the  right  resting  near  the  Green- 
well  Springs  road,  Colonel  Allen's  brigade  (the  second)  on  the  left, 
his  left  extending  through  a  wood  and  resting  on  a  large  field. 
Semmes'  battery  (four  pieces)  in  the  centre,  occupying  the  space 
between  the  two  brigades ;  a  squadron  of  cavalry,  under  command  of 
Captain  Augustus  Scott,  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  extreme  left 
of  the  line,  to  observe  and  endeavor  to  prevent  any  attempt  to  out- 
flank us  in  that  direction.  At  a  little  after  daylight,  during  the  pre- 
valence of  a  thick  fog,  the  order  was  given  to  advance.  The  line 
preceded  but  a  few  hundred  yards  before  it  encountered  a  brisk  fire 
from  the  enemy's  skirmishers,  strongly  posted  on  our  extreme  right, 
in  some  houses  surrounded  by  trees  and  picket  fences.  Almost 
simultaneously  a  battery  of  the  enemy  opened  on  our  line  from  the 
same  direction,  Semmes'  battery  was  ordered  forward  to  our  indicated 
position,  to  drive  off  the  skirmishers  and  silence  the  enemy's  battery, 
rnd  the  whole  line  moved  rapidly  forward  firing  and  cheering.  The 
effect  was  instantaneous.  The  enemy's  skirmishers  fled  and  his  bat- 
tery was  compelled  to  change  position  and  seek  shelter  under  th"e 
guns  of  the  arsenal  to  prevent  being  captured,  Avhere  it  remained, 
continueing  to  fire  on  our  advancing  line.  Semmes'  battery  took 
position  on  the  right  of  the  division,  to  keep  up  the  engagement  with 
the  battery  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Thompson's  brigade  continued  to 
advance,  under  an  occasional  fire,  across  an  open  field  and  through 
some  corn  fields,  just  beyond  which  they  encountered  a  heavy  fire 
from  the  enemy,  strongly  posted  in  a  wood.  Here  the  contest  was 
warmly  maintained  on  both  sides  for  a  considerable  time,  during  which 
the  first  division  succeeded  in  entering  a  regimental  camp  on  our 
right.  The  enemy  were  finally  driven  back  into  and  through  another 
camp  immediately  in  our  front.  The  enemy  at  this  period  were 
strongly  reenforced,  and  a  heavy  battery  a  little  to  the  left  of  the 
centre  opened  an  oblique  fire  on  both  brigades.  About  the  same  time 
the  enemy  attempted  to  break  our  centre,  by  pushing  a  column  be- 
tween the  two  brigades.  This  movement  being  discovered,  Semmes' 
battery  was  ordered  forward  and  opened  on  this  column  at  short 
range,  with  grape  and  cannister  with  marked  effect,  for  a  few  rapid 
discharges  scattered  the  enemy  and  drove  him  back  in  confusion.  A 
similar  attempt  was  made  on  the  right  of  "the  division,  which  was  de- 
feated with  equal  success  by  a  timely  and  well  directed  fire  from  the 
thiry-fifth  Alabama  and  sixth  Kentucky  regiments.  The  two  brigades, 
which,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground,  had  become  separated,  were 
ordered  in,  advancing,  to  gain  ground,  to  the  right  and  left  respec- 
tively, in  order  to  subject  the  enemy's  position  in  front  to  a  converg- 
ing fire.  In  executing  this  movement  the  first  brigade  met  a  portion 
of  the  first  division  falling  back  in  some  disorder.  Colonel  Thomp- 
son halted  and  was  attempting  to  reform  them  when  he  was  informed 
by  a  mounted  Officer  that  the  order  was  for  the  whole  line  to  fall  back. 
In  obedience  to  this  supposed  order  he  fell  back  a  short  distance,  but 
soon  reformed  his  line  and  charged  the  enemy  under  a  galling  fire. 


122 

Unfortunately  while  leading  his  men  in  this  charge,  Colonel  Thomp- 
son fell,  severely  wounded,  and  was  borne  from  the  field,  ani  about  the 
same  time  Colonel  Allen,  also  fell,  dangerously  wounded,  while  lead- 
ing, with  unsurpassed  gallantry,  his  brigade  against  a  battery  of  the 
enemy.  These  circumstances  prevented  the  further  prosecution  of 
this  Movement.  About  this  time  the  Major  General  commanding 
arriving  upon  this  part  of  the  field,  directed  the  final  charge  upon  the 
enemy,  which  drove  him  in  confusion  through  his  last  regimental  en- 
campment to  the  river,  under  the  protection  of  his  gun  boats.  His 
camps,  containing  a  large  quantity  of  personal  property,  commissary 
stores  and  clothing,  were  destroyed.  Finding  it  fruitless  to  remain 
longer  under  the  fire  of  the  gun  boats,  and  disappointed  in  the  ex- 
pected co-operation  of  the  "  Arkansas,"  the  exhausted  troops  were 
withdrawn  in  good  order  to  the  suburbs  of  the  town.  The  seventh 
Kentucky  regiment  and  a  section  of  Serames'  artillery  being  left  on 
the  field  to  protect  the  collection  of  the  stragglers  and  wounded, 
which  was  thoroughly  accomplished.  Colonel  Allen's  brigade,  on  the 
left,  moved  forward  through  a  wood  and  into  some  cornfields.  They 
soon  encountered  the  enemy  in  superior  force,  protected  by  houses 
and  fences.  They  successively  charged  these  positions,  driving  the 
enemy  steadily  back  until  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  river, 
w^here  they  w^ere  subjected  to  a  destructive  fire  from  th^  batteries  before 
mentioned  and  the  enemy's  gunboats.  They  charged  and  took  a 
section  from  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  Colonel  Allen  leading  the 
advance  with  the  colors  of  one  of  his  battalions  in  his  hand.  It  was 
.at  this  critical  juncture  that,  as  before  stated,  this  gallant  soldier  fell 
from  his  horse  severely'  w^ounded,  and  during  the  confusion  which  fol- 
lowed this  misfortune,  the  enemy  succeeded  in  recapturing  the 
pieces. 

The  enemy  pressed  heavily  upon  this  brigade,  and  poured  into  it 
such  a  galling  fire  from  infantry  and  artillery  that  it  fell  back  in  some 
disorder.  Colonel  Breaux,  who  assumed  command  upon  the  fall  of 
Colonel  Allen,  succeeded,  with  the  aid  of  officers  of  the  brigade  and 
two  officers  connected  with  the  staff,  who  were  sent  to  his  assistance, 
in  rallying  a  sufficient  number  to  show  front  to  the  enemy,  until 
Semmes'  battery  was  brought  up,  as  already  stated,  to  their  support, 
and  succeeded,  by  a  well  directed  fire,  in  preventing  the  enemy's  ad- 
vance. This  position  was  maintained  despite  the  heavy  firing  on  the 
brigade  from  the  enemy's  gunboats  and  land  batteries,  until  the  troops 
were  withdrawn,  with  the  rest  of  the  army,  to  the  suburbs  of  the  town. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Shields  had  been  ordered,  as  already  stated,  to- 
take  position  on  the  Plank  road,  leading  from  Clinton  to  Baton  Rouge, 
and  as  soon  as  he  heard  the  fire  of  our  main  body,  to  attack  a  battery 
of  the  enemy,  said  to  be  stationed  at  the  junction  of  the  Clinton  and 
Bayou  Sara  roads.  This  service  was  promptly  and  gallantly  per- 
formed. He  drove  in  the  enemy's  pickets,  followed  them  up,  and 
opened  fire  on  a  regimental  encampment  to  the  right  of  the  Greenwell 
Springs  road,  driving  the  enemy  from  it.  He  was  here  met  by  two 
regiments  of  the  enemy,  but  succeeded  in  holding  them  at  bay  till  he 
was  fired  upon  by  our  own  artillery,  fortunately  without  injury.  Four 


123 

of  the  artillery  horses,  being  disabled,  and  the  infantry  unable  to 
•withstand  the  heavy  fire  of  the  enemy,  he  withdrew  to  his  original 
position,  where  the  wounded  horses  were  replaced  by  others,  when  he 
returned  to  his  advanced  position,  which  he  held  till  General  Clark's 
division  came  up  on  his  left,  when  the  two  companies  of  infantry  were, 
by  order  of  the  Major  Genei-al  commanding,  attached  to  the  twenty- 
secon/i  Mississippi  regiment.  The  section  of  artillery  under  his  com- 
mand retained  its  position  until  the  army  retired,  when  it  rejoined  the 
battery  in  the  suburbs  of  the  town.  In  concluding  this  report  of  the 
battle,  I  have  the  satisfaction  of  stating  that  the  conduct  of  both  offi- 
cers and  men  was  gallant  and  daring,  every  movement  being  performed 
with  characteristic  promptitude.  I  respectfully  commend  the  reports 
of  the  commanders  of  brigades,  as  well  as  those  of  regiments,  battal- 
ions and  independent  companies,  to  the  special  consideration  of  the 
Commanding  General,  and  also  recommend  the  following  officers  and 
soldiers,  specially  named  in  these  reports,  to  favorable  consideration : 
Ist.  Colonel  A.  P.  Thompson  and  Colonel  H.  W.  Allen,  brigade  com- 
manders, both  severely  wounded.  Fifth  Kentucky,  commanded  by 
Captain  Bowman.  Seventh  Kentucky,  Colonel  Crossland,  and  his 
color-bearer,  James  Rollins.  Sixth  Kentucky,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Cofer ;  Captains  J.  Smith,  Utterback,  and  Thomas  Page,  and  first 
Lieutenant  H.  Harned.  Thirty-fifth  Alabama,  Colonel  Robertson  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Goodwin.  Of  the  second  brigade,  the  fourth  Lou- 
isiana, Lieutenant  Colonel  Hunter.  In  this  regiment.  Lieutenant 
Corkern,  company  B,  Lieutenant  Jeter,  company  H,  and  Sergeant- 
Major  Daniels.  Battalion  of  Stewart's  Legion,  commanded  by  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Samuel  Boyd,  Avho  was  disabled  by  a  severe  flesh  wound 
in  the  arm.  Captain  Chum  also  was  wounded.  The  command  de- 
volved upon  Captain  T.  Bynum,  who  acted  with  gallantry.  The  bat- 
talion thirtieth  regiment  of  Louisiana  volunteers,  commanded  by  Col- 
onel J.  A.  Breaux,  who  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  his  regiment,  especially  Captain  N.  Trepagnier  and  Lieutenant 
Dapremont,  both  wounded.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Shields,  thirtieth 
Louisiana,  commanding  separate  detachment,  who  speaks  in  high  terms 
of  the  intrepidity  of  Lieutenant  Fauntleroy,  commanding  section  of 
guns  in  his  detachment.  Captain  Semmes,  commanding  battery,  and 
his  officers.  Lieutenants  Barnes  and  J.  A.  West,  performed  gallant 
service.  Captain  Blount,  brigade  inspector  of  second  brigade,  ren- 
dered gallant  service  in  the  field,  where  it  is  believed  he  has  fallen,  as 
nothing  has  been  heard  of  him  since.  I  also  have  the  gratification 
to  name  the  members  of  my  staiF,  who  served  with  rae  on  this  osca- 
sion,  viz :  Lieutenant  L.  D.  Sandidge,  corps  artillery  Confedera,te 
States  army,  A.  A,  A.  and  Inspector  General ;  Captain  George  Whit- 
field, chief  quartermaster ;  Major  E.  S.  Ruggles,  acting  ordnance  of- 
ficer, and  acting  chief  commissary  of  subsistence,  first  Lieutenant  M. 
B.  Ruggles,  aid  de  camp.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  Jones,  who 
was  severely  wounded,  and  Colonel  J.  0.  Fuqua,  Dist.  Judge  Advo- 
cate and  Provost  Marshal  General,  who  were  all  distinguished  for 
their  efficiency,  coolness  and  gallantry  throughout  the  conflict.  The 
following  officers,  attached  to  the   general  staft',  also  rendered  gallant 


124 

service:  Captain  Sam.  Bard,  on  special  service;  Lieutenant  A.  B, 
DeSaulles,  engineers ;  Lieutenant  H.  H.  Price  and  Lieutenant  11.  C. 
Holt.  Other  officers  on  special  service,  amongst  whom  were  Captain 
Augustus  Scott,  commanding  squadron  on  temporary  service  ;  Captains 
Curry,  Kinderson  and  Behbrn,  as  volunteer  aids  for  the  occasion,  and 
Captain  J.  M.  Taylor  served  with  zeal  and  gallantry.  The  entire  di- 
vision entering  the  fight  numbered  about  nineteen  hundred  and  fifty, 
infantry  and  artillery,  with  a  few  irregular  cavalry  and  partisan  ran- 
gers, numbering  in  all  some  three  hundred  and  fifty  or  four  hundred. 
The  casualties,  killed,  wounded  and  missing  being  two  hundred  and 
seventy-seven,  (277.) 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DANIEL  RUGGLES, 
Brigadier  General  Commanding  Second  Division. 

Captain  John  A.   Bicker, 

A.  A.   Gcnneral. 


REPORT  OF  A.  A.  GENERAL  JOHN  A.  BUCKNER  OF  THE 
ENGAGEMENT  AT  BATON  ROUGE. 

Headquarters  in  the  Field,      ) 
Corinth  river,  ten  miles  from  Baton  Rouge,  Aug.  9,  1862.  ) 

General:  In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  have  the  honor  to 
submit  the  following  report  of  the  late  engagement  at  Baton  Rouge., 
so  far  as  the  first  brigade  of  first  division  was  concerned,  after  its 
commanders,  Brigadier  General  Helm,  and  subsequently  Colonel 
Thomas  Hunt,  were  wounded,  and  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  the 
command  at  your  hands.  The  enemy  had  been  repulsed  from  one  of  his 
encampments,  and  the  different  regiments  constituting  the  first  brigade 
were  drawn  up  in  line  in  one  of  his  camps,  not,  however,  fully 
deployed.  After  moving  the  two  regiments  on  the  left  of  the  brigade, 
by  the  flank  to  the  left,  the  whole  were  formed  in  line  of  battle, 
and  were  ordered  to  advance.  The  movement  was  spiritedly  made  up  to 
the  second  encampment,  through  a  somewhat  sharp  volley  of  musketry, 
in  as  good  style  as  the  broken  and  confined  limits  of  the  ground  would 
admit,  and  immediately  the  enemy  was  hotly  and  determinedly  en- 
gaged. After  a  fe  *v  volleys,  I  ^ordered  the  brigade  forward,  which  order 
was  being  promptly  obeyed  by  the  fourth  and  fifth  Kentucky,  the  other 
regiments  being  just  in  the  act  of  advancing,  when  I  received,  from 
General  Clark,  the  order  to  face  about  and  retreat.  This  order  was 
then  given  by  myself  and  General  Clark's  aids.  The  troops  fell  back 
reluctantly  and  not  in  very  good  order,  the  General  himself  and  a 
number  of  others  being  wounded  in  the  retreat.  I  immediately  re- 
ported to  you  to  know  whether  you  had  ordered  the  retreat,  and  was 
informed  that  you  had  not.  The  second  brigade  of  this  division  was 
then  ordered  by  yourself  to  advance.  It  went  up  in  good  style.  Cap- 
tain Hughes,  commanding  twenty-second  Mississippi  regiment,  leading 


125 

them  gallantly.  By  your  presence  and  assistance,  the  first  brigade 
was  rallied  and  led  by  yourself,  in  person,  to  the  same  position  from 
■vrhich  it  had  fallen  back,  when  it  joined  with  the  second  brigade,  and 
moved  conjointly  through  the  second  encampment,  driving  the  enemy 
before  them  through  the  third  and  last  of  their  camps  to  the  river, 
under  cover  of  their  gunboats.  This  being  accomplished,  which  was 
all  that  was  expected  of  the  land  force,  the  "Arkansas"  failing  to 
make  her  appearance,  nothing  remained  but  to  destroy  what  had  been 
captured,  (inasmuch  as  no  arrangement  had  been  made  for  bearing  it 
off,  though  the  battle  field  was  in  our  possession  sufficiently  long,) 
and  retire  from  the  range  of  the  enemy's  batteries  on  the  river.  Ac- 
cordingly, you  gave  me  the  order  to  withdraw  the  division  out  of 
range  of  the  fire  of  the  fleet,  to  await  the  movements  of  the  gunboat 
"  Arkansas."  This  was  done  in  good  order,  though  with  some  degree 
of  reluctance,  the  cause  of  the  movement  not  being  fully  understood. 
Your  order  to  fire  the  enemy's  tents  and  stores  was  well  executed, 
t'heir  loss  must  have  been  very  heavy  in  quartermaster  and  commis- 
sary supplies,  and  particularly  so  in  sutlers'  stores,  considerable 
quantities  of  new  goods  and  general  equipments  being  burned.  The 
position  in  which  you  left  me  near  the  house  where  General  Clark  lay 
wounded  was  held  more  than  two  hours  after  the  main  body  of  the 
troops  were  withdrawn,  with  a  section  of  Semmes'  battery  and  the 
remnant  of  the  seventh  Kentucky  regiment.  Colonel  Crossland  com- 
manding, as  support.  Learning  that  Cobb's  battery  had  left  its  posi- 
tion and  been  ordered  to  the  rear,  the  section,  with  its  support  under 
my  command,  was  removed  to  occupy  the  better  position  left  by 
Captain  Cobb,  at  which  point  it  remained  a  half  hour,  and  would  have 
remained  the  whole  evening,  but  for  the  erroneous  information  of. 
the  enemy's  advance  in  force  being  given  by  a  surgeon  who  was 
moving  rapidly  to  the  rear.  Leaving  pickets  at  this  point,  just  in  the 
edge  of  town,  I  witlidrew  the  artillery  and  its  support  slowly  back  to 
the  point  at  which  you  found  me.  A  flag,.of  truce  was  hoisted  early 
in  the  evening  by  the  enemy,  and  on  being  met  by  an  officer  whom  I 
sent  to  the  front,  the  privilege  of  bearing  off  the  dead  and  wounded 
was  requested  and  granted  for  four  hours  by  yourself,  upon  condition 
that  the  agreement  be  reduced  to  writing.  No  communication  being 
received  in  writing  for  sometime,  twenty  mintues  longer  were  given, 
shortly  after  the  expiration  of  which  time,  a  note  was  received,  signed 
by  the  commanding  officer  at  .Baton  Rouge,  disclaiming  the  flag  of 
truce. 

I  cannot  conclude  my  report  without  speaking  of  the  cool  courage 
and  efficient  skill  with  which  Brigadier  General  Charles  Clark  led 
his  command  into  the  action,  and  the  valuable  assistance  rendered  him 
by  his  aids  Lieutenants  Spooner  and  Yerger;  of  the  efficiency  of 
Major  H.  E.  Topp,  of  the  thirty-first  Mississippi,  in  leading  his  regi- 
ment ;  of  Major  Brown,  chief  commissary  of  the  division,  whose 
fearless  exposure  of  himself  where  the  contest  was  hotest,  in  urging 
on  the  troops  to  a  charge;  of  Coptain  J.  H.  Miller,  commanding 
fourth  Kentucky  regiment,  who  displayed  conspicuous  gallantry  in 
leading  his   regiment;  of   Colonel   Crossland,   commanding    seventh 


126 

Kentucky  regiment,  whose  regiment,  after  being  in  front  and  assisting 
in  bearing  the  brunt  of  the  battle,  remained  upon  the  field  while  the 
shells  from  the  enemy's  gunboats  were  falling  thickly  around  them ; 
and  of  the  valuable  service  rendered  mc  by  Major  C,  Wickliffe,  of 
the  fifth  Kentucky,  towards  the  close  of  the  engagement,  where  his 
constant  presence  at  the  bead  of  his  regiment,  inspired  confidence  and 
courage,  not  only  among  his  own  men,  but  all  who  were  near  him  in 
the  closing  contest,  which  decided  the  engagement  so  favorably  and 
80  gloriously  for  the  Confederate  arms.  For  list  of  casualties  I  would 
refer  you  to  papers  "  A"  and  •'  B,"  concerning  late  battle. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  General, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  A.  BUCKNER, 

A.  A.  General. 


FIELD    REPORTS    OF     FIRST     DIVISION     AT    THE 
BATTLE  OF  BATON  ROUGE. 


REPORT  OF   L    B    SMITH,  COLONEL,  COMMANDING  4TH 

BRIGADE. 

Headquarters  First  Division,  ) 

Camp  on  Comite  River,  August  10,  1862.  y 

To  Major  General  Breckinridge  : 

Sir  :  The  following  is  a  correct  report  of  the  part  the  fourth  brigade 
took  in  the  late  engagement  in  front  of  the  city  of  Baton  Rouge,  on 
the  5th  instant.  By  order  of  General  Clark,  I  moved  the  fourth 
brigade  across  a  corn  field,  perpendicular  to  the  road,  throwing  the 
fifteenth  Mississippi  regiment  in  the  woods,  deployed  as  skirmishers, 
to  protect  the  right.  We  then  moved  forward  across  several  fields  to 
the  outskirts  of  the.  town,  when  the  division  was  halted  till  I  was 
ordered  to  move  by  the  left  flaijk  to  the  road,  and  then  by  the  front, 
till  they  fired  on  me,  Avhich  was  returned.  At  that  moment,  we  were 
not  more  than  twenty  yards  from  their  lines.  About  three  rounds 
from  our  men  put  them  to  flight.  The  fog  being  so  thick,  we  could  not 
see  more  than  twenty  steps.  We  were  then  on  a  line  with  their  camps 
on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  the  firing  had  ceased,  when  General  Clark 
ordered  me  to  fall  back  in  the  ravine,  some  hundred  yards  to  the  rear. 
I  about  faced  the  brigade,  and  marched  back  in  good  order,  walking 
my  men  in  a  gully.  Soon  after,  the  second  brigade  moved  obliquely 
to  the  left,  and  engaged  them  on  the  left  of  the  road ;  the  right  of  the 
second  brigade  began  to  give  way,  and  in  twenty  or  thirty  minutes,  I 
suppose,  I  moved  forward  to  their  support,  and  to  their  right,  engaging 
the  enemy,  and  a  general  forward  movement  was  made  by  our  division. 
About  the  time  we  had  reached  the  tents  and  tops  of  the  hills,  orders 
came  to  fall  back  to  the  bridge,  where  the  stampede  had  taken  place 
that  morning,  which  we  did  in  as  good  order  as  we  could  after  having 
so  severely  engaged  them.  I  would  beg  leave  to  mention  the  names 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moore,  of  the  nineteenth  Tennessee,  Captain 
Hughes,  of  the  twenty-second  Mississippi,  and  Adjutant  Fitzpatrick, 
of  the  twenty-second  Mississippi,  as  acting  gallantly  all  through  the 
engagement.  Captain  Hughes  fell  in  the  last  charge  at  the  head  of 
his  men.     The  fifteenth  Mississippi  was  held  in  reserve  with  a  battery, 


128 

and  was  not  in  the  fight.     The  men  behaved  well,  and  observed  the 
commands  I  gave  them. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

L.  B.  SMITH, 
Colonel  Commanding  Fourth  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  J.  EDWARDS. 

Headquarters  THrRTv-FiRsx  Alabama  Regiment,  ) 
Camp  near  Comitc  River,  La.,  Aug.  8,  1862.      \ 

To  Major  John  A.  Buckner, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  part 
taken  by  the  thirty-first  Alabama  regiment,  in  the  action  at  Baton 
Rouge,  Louisiana,  on  the  5th  instant.  AX  early  dawn  on  the  morning 
of  the  5th  instant,  the  diff"erent  regiments,  composing  the  second  bri- 
gade, of  which  my  regiment  formed  a  part,  were  assigned  their  positions 
in  line  of  battle.  After  having  advanced  for  considerable  distance 
over  very  difiicult  ground,  my  regiment,  with  the  thirty-first  Missis- 
sippi and  fourth  Kentucky,  was  ordered  to  commence  the  attack  on 
the  enemy's  left,  which  order  was  executed  vigorously,  but  cautiously, 
skirmishers  being  thrown  out  at  different  tim:s  and  places.  The  fog 
hovering  over  the  field  rendered  it  impossible  to  discover  what  was  in  our 
front  at  a  distance  of  but  few  paces.  -  The  enemy  retired  slowly  before 
the  well  directed  fire,  which  we  constantly  poured  upon  them,  falling 
back  from  their  first  encampment.  On  reaching  that  encampment,  my 
regiment  was  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  in  front  and  on  the  left  flank, 
when  we  were  ordered  to  fall  back.  At  this  point,  Lieutenant  Chil- 
dress, of  company  '•  K,"  was  mortally,  and  Lieutenant  Hays,  of  com- 
pany "  G,"  and  Sergeant  Loughlin,  of  company  "  B,''  were  severely 
wounded  while  gallantly  fighting,  and  left  on  the  field.  Having  fallen 
back  to  a  small  ravine,  the  line  was  reformed,  and  advanced  to  dislodge 
the  enemy  from  their  last  encampment  to  our  left,  which  was  gallantly 
done  after  a  severe  contest.  Tiie  order  then  being  given  for  us  to 
retire,  it  was  executed  in  good  order.  Sickness  and  death  had  thinned 
m}''  ranks  to  such  an  extent  that  I  only  carried  into  action  ninety- 
seven,  rank  and  file,  of  which  number  two  were  killed  and  nine 
wounded.  I  take  pleasure  in  saying  that,  although  neither  of  my 
field  ofiicers  were  with  me,  both  being  absent,  sick,  I  found  but  little 
or  no  difficulty  in  rallying  my  men.  I  saw  not  a  single  instance  in 
my  regiment,  amidst  all  the  galling  fires  of  the  enemy,  which  they 
withstood,  of  any  officer  or  soldier  being  disposed  to  shrink  from  his 
duty,  but  all  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  the  stern  determination 
to  conquer  or  die.  In  the  last  charge  made  upon  the  enemy,  when 
they  were  driven  from  their  last  encampment.  I  am  proud  to  say  my 
regiment  was  side  by  side  with  the  foremost  in  the  charge,  and  when 


129 

the  work  was  accomplished  of  driving  the  enemy  from  their  position, 
and  we  were  ordered  to  fall  back,  they  did  so  in  perfect  order. 
Very  respectfully, 

J.  EDWARDS, 
Colonel^  commanding  thirty-Jirst  Alabama  regime7U. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  TOPP. 

Headruarters  Thirty-First  Reg't.  Miss.  Vols.,      ) 

August  7th,  1862.  \ 

Major  John  A.  Buckner, 

A.  A.   General : 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report.  About 
the  time,  or  immediately  after  the  repulse  of  the  second  division,  a 
portion  of  our  brigade,  of  which  the  thirty-first  ^Mississippi  regiment 
was  a  part,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Hunt,  of  the  fifth  Ken- 
tucky, was  ordered  forward  through  several  corn  fields,  in  which  the 
enemy  was  discovered  by  my  skirmishers,  thrown  out  for  that  purpose, 
towards  the  second  Encampment,  to  which  we  approached  within  two 
hundred  yards  or  less,  driving  constantly  the  enemy  before  us,  when 
a  terrific  fire  from  the  enemy  in  the  direction  of  the  second  encamp- 
ment checked  our  advance,  and  where  well  nigh  all  of  my  casualties 
occurred.  At  this  point  we  were  ordered  to  fall  back,  by  Colonel  Hunt, 
and  the  retreat  had  hardly  begun  when  Colonel  Hunt  was  wounded 
and  taken  off  the  field.  Here  I  attempted  to  rally  my  regiment,  but 
the  confusion  had  become  so  general  that  I  found  it  impossible  to  do 
60.  We  then  fell  back  to  the  ravine  in  advance  of  the  first  encamp- 
ment, and  formed  under  the  cover  of  the  ravine.  General  Clark, 
commanding  division,  came  up  at  this  juncture,  I  told  him  that  we 
were  without  a  brigade  commander,  Col.  H.  having  been  wounded,  and 
requested  him  to  assign  some  one  to  the  command  of  the  brigade.  Col- 
onel Edwards,  of  the  thirty-first  Alabama,  having  lost  his  horse,  and 
expressing  an  unwillingness  to  assume  the  command.  General  C. 
then  left  and  very  soon  Major  Buckner,  as  I  was  informed,  took  the 
command,  and  ordered  us  to  march  by  the  left  flank  in  the  direction  of 
the  enemy's  second  encampment,  and  having  fairly  gotten  us  in  a  posi- 
tion to  advance,  ordered  us  forward.  The  command  was  instantly 
obeyed,  and  the  brigade,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  regiments  on 
the  right,  was  soon  engaged  with  the  enemy.  My  regiment  was  lying 
down  firing,  with  very  little  damage  to  themselves,  and  gradually  ap- 
proaching the  encampment,  when,  to  our  surprise,  we  observed  the 
riglit  cl  cur  brigade  falling  back  in  disorder.  I  have  no  idea  who  gave 
the  command  as  I  was  on  the  extreme  left.  I  then  ordered  my  regi- 
ment to  fall  back  which  it  did,  in  confusion,  to  the  cut  in  the  road. 
At  this  time  the  regiments  held  in  reserve  were  carried  forward  by 
General  Clark,  and  we  rallied  again  in  the  road  under  the  direction  of 
Major  Buckner.  We  were  a  second  time  ordered  to  forward,  and  this 
9 


ISO 

time  there  was  no  halting  or  falling  back.  "We  advanced  at  a  double 
quick  to  within  seventy-five  yards  of  the  encampment,  fired,  and 
charged  bayonets  when  the  enemy  began  to  give  way,  and  finally 
ended  in  a  route.  We  were  entering  the  encampment  when  we  were 
ordered  to  lialt  by  Major  B.,  and  formed  upon  the  color  line  of  the 
second  encampment.  We  remained  in  this  position  some  five  minutes 
or  more,  when  the  same  officer  called  "  attention,"  gave  the  command^ 
*'  about  face,  forward,  march,"  the  whole  line  marching  in  admirable 
order. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

H.  E.  TOPP, 
Major  Commanding  ihirty-Jirst  regiment  Mississippi  Volunteers. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  J.  C.  WICKLIFFE. 

IIeadquarters  5x11  Kentucky  Regiment,      \ 

Camp  near  Comife  rii^cr.  La.,  \ 

August  7th,  1862.        ) 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  af  submitting  to  you  the  following  report  of 
the  part  taken  by  the  5th  Kentucky  regiment  in  the  action  of  the  5th 
instant  at  Baton  Rouge. 

The  5th  Kentucky,  with  the  commander  of  the  brigade,  was  placed 
in  line  of  battle  early  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  August.  The 
line  was  advanced  towards  Baton  Rouge  steadily.  In  obedience  to  an 
order  of  my  brigade  commander,  my  regiment  was  held  as  a  support 
to  the  battery  attached  to  this  brigade,  where  it  remained  until  I 
received  an  order  in  person  from  Major  General  Breckinridge  to  post 
one  company,  as  pickets,  to  the  right  and  at  some  distance  from  the 
arsenal.  In  obedience  to  this  order,  I  placed  Captain  Gillum,  with 
his  company,  consisting  of  one  lieutenant,  four  sergeants,  one  corpo- 
ral and  twenty-four  men,  upon  the  ground  designated  by  the  General; 
and  in  obedience  to  another  order  from  him,  left  Capt.  Gillum  there, 
when  my  command  was  ordered  to  join  the  brigade  and  engage  the 
enemy  in  their  camps.  Captain  Gillum  remained  at  his  post  until 
ordered  away,  when  the  brigade  retired  to  the  point  where  the  line  of 
battle  was  first  formed.  Thus  this  company  was  prevented  from  en- 
gaging in  the  battle,  and  this  will  account  why  none  was  killed  or 
wounded  in  company  A,  of  this  regiment.  When  ordered  by  Major 
General  Breckinridge  to  join  the  brigade  to  which  my  regiment  is 
attached,  I  was  placed  on  the  left  of  the  4th  Kentucky  regiment, 
which  was  the  first  regiment  in  the  brigade.  Immediately  after  this, 
an  order  from  you  was  given  to  advance.  My  command  did  so,  and 
until  the  fire  was  drawn  from  the  enemy,  who  were  secreted  in  and 
about  the  tents  of  the  third  and  last  encampment.  The  fire  was  im- 
mediately returned  by  the  men  under  my  command.  It  continued 
warm  and  heavy  for  about  twenty  or  twenty-five  minutes,  our  line,  as 
far  as  I  could  see,  advancing  very  littli?,  but  steadily,  and  the  enemy 


131 

as  slowly  retreating.  At  this  time  an  order  was  given  by  Brigadier 
General  Clark,  commanding  the  division,  to  fall  back  to  a  small 
ravine,  a  short  distance  in  the  rear,  and  reform,  which  was  executed 
in  good  order.  In  a  few  moments  we  were  again  ordered  to  advance, 
and  did  so,  never  halting  until  the  enemy  had  been  driven  from  the 
last  of  their  encampments.  After  the  brigade  line  had  been  formed, 
in  obedience  to  an  order  from  you,  we  retired  slowly  and  in  good 
order.  My  command  numbered  222,  rank  and  file.  From  this  deduct 
company  A,  numbering  thirty-one  officers  and  men,  and  seven  detailed 
to  carry  off  the  wounded,  thus  reducing  the  number  of  men  actually 
engaged  in  the  fight,  under  my  command,  to  184  men. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  casualties  which  occurred  in  my  regi- 
ment: In  company  A,  none.  In  company  B,  L.  P.  Smith,  mortally 
wounded  and  since  dead ;  II.  Osborne,  slightly.  In  company  C, 
Lieut.  II.  II.  Harris,  wounded;  private  R.  S.Brooks,  killed;  privates 
J.  S.  Jackson,  J.  T.  Taylor,  D.  Tinsley  and  J.  B.  Yonng,  wounded. 
In  company  D,  Lieut.  Oscar  Kennard,  wounded  ;  private  Wm.  Hicks, 
killed  ;  privates  John  Essill  and  John  Henry,  wounded.  In  company 
E,  Sergeant  11.  M.  Hague,  wounded,-  privates  James  Bowers  and 
Isaac  Rutledgc,  killed  ;  privates  Elbert  Gramor,  B.  Logan  and  J.  L. 
Thompson,  wounded.  In  company  F,  A.  P.  Fowler,  W.  P.  Ratliff,  J. 
Leach,  J.  W.  Wallace  and  D.  P.  Howell,  wounded.  In  company  G, 
Lieut.  P.  V.  Daniel,  privates  N.  M.  Beauchamp,  Thomas  Stith,  Miche 
Meardin,  Allen  Dereby,  Frank  Keath,  Green  Woorley  and  M.  S. 
Newman,  wounded.  In  company  K,  Sergeant  John  II.  Hughes,  Cor- 
poral Moses  Lafeiter,  privates  Alexander  Barry,  Charles  Freeburg 
and  Thomas  Lively,  killed  ;  Sergeant  T.  II.  Atwell,  privates  Edmond 
Elliott,  Peter  Frilty,  James  Hunt,  G.  Polfers,  L.  Ilotsenburgh,  A.  J. 
Williams  and  W.  McFatridge,  wounded. 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  stating  that  the  oDicers  and  men, 
nndcr  my  command,  discharged  their  duties  in  the  action  at  Baton 
Rouge  in  a  manner  creditable  alike  to  themslves  and  the  cause  for 
which  they  are  battling. 

Very  respectfully, 

J.  C.  WICKLIFFE, 
Major  co7ad'g  bih  Ky.  regiment. . 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  J.  II.  MILLETT. 

Camp  near  Comite  River,  August  7,  1863. 

Captain  John  A.  Buckner  : 

Sir  :  Through  an  unfortnnate  circumstance  I  was  placed  in  command' 
of  the  fourth  Kentucky  at  about  three  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  5th  in^ 
stant.  After  being  placed  in  line,  our  brigade  moved  forwa-rd  until  it. 
reached  the  outskirts  of  Baton  Rouge,  when  we  moved  by  the  left- 
flank  as  far  as  the  camp  of  the  fourteenth  Maine  regiment.  We  then 
moved  forward ;  the  smoke  being  so  dense  my  command  was  here  sep- 


132 

Arated  from  the  brigade.  Having  thrown  out  my  right  company  as 
skirmishers  I  continued  to  move  forward,  but  discovering  that  the  en- 
emy were  on  my  left,  supported  by  a  battery,  all  concealed  by  the 
houses  and  fences,  and  not  being  able  to  change  direction  without 
placing  my  regiment  immediately  under  the  fire  of  our  own  troops,  I 
rejoined  the  brigadg.  I  had  just  taken  my  position  on  the  right  when 
you  took  command,  and  ordered  us  forward.  I  moved  my  regiment 
obliquely  to  the  lefc  until  my  right  had  cleared  the  fence  in  front, 
when  I  ordered  them  forward  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy's  camp, 
which  they  did  with  a  cheer.  We  had  advanced  probably  two  hundred 
yards  when  an  aid,  whom  I  took  to  be  on  General  Clark's  staff,  (not 
being  personally  acquainted  with  any  of  them,)  ordered  me  to  fall 
back.  Seeing  the  balance  of  the  brigade  retiring,  I  gave  the  command 
to  my  regiment,  which  they  were  very  unwilling  to  execute,  seeing 
the  enemy  retiring  from  their  camps.  After  reforming  my  regiment,  I 
was  again  ordered  by  you  to  advance.  In  this  charge  the  enemy  were 
driven  completely  from  their  camps.  It  is  not  necessary,  Captain,  for 
me  to  say  how  my  command  acted  in  this  charge.  You,  being  in 
front  of  my  left,  could  judge  for  yourself.  I  think  that  you  will  agree 
that  they  did  not  abuse  the  confidence  the  Commanding  General  has 
in  "ragged  Kentuckians."     The  fourth  Kentucky  lost  in 

Killed,  5 

Wounded,  ,  14 

Missing,  1 

20 
Respectfully, 

J.  II.  MILLETT, 
Vcplain  Commandivg  JourtJi  Kentwky  Rtginunt  Volunteers. 


.REPORT  OP  LIEUTENANT    COLONEL  JOHN  SNODGRASS. 


Headquarters  Fourth  Alabama   Batt 

August 


ALIGN,         ) 

6,  18G3  5 


Colonel  J.  Edwards, 

Commanding  Second  Brigade  : 
Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  part  taken 
by  the  fourth  Alabama  battalion  in  the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge  on  the 
5th  instant.  In  the  accidental  affair  on  the  road  before  daylight  the 
following  are  the  casualties  :  Lieutenant  W.  13.  Stokes :  Privates,  Mor- 
gan, O'Connel,  Stephen  Oliver,  Y.  Freeman,  P.  Andrews,  M.  Y.  Ilaine, 
and  P.  Mattison,  company  C,  slightly  Avounded.  Private  A.  Lewis, 
company  A,  slightly.  Privates  M.  L.  Sewel,  G.  W.  Lisk,  company 
G,  slightly.  Private  J.  J.  Carlton,  company  E,  slightly.  When  the 
positions  of  the  various  regiments,  etc.,  were  assigned,  the  battalion 
with  the  fifth  Kentucky  regiment,  was  ordered  to  support  the  Hudson 
battery,   which  position  it  occupied   until  between  seven  and  eight 


133 

o'*cloc"k,  A.  M.,  wLen  I  wag  ordered  to  advance  to  the  support  of  our 
forces  then  engaging  the  enemy  at  their  second  encampment.  The 
battalion  continued  in  the  engagement  until  the  enemy's  infantry  were 
driven  from  the  field,  and  their  batteries  were  playing  heavily  upon 
the  position  we  occupied,  when  we  were  ordered  to  withdraw.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  the  casualties  during  the  engagement :  Major  G. 
L.  Alexander,  mortally  wounded  in  left  breast  by  minnie  ball,  died 
shortly  after.  In  company  A,  wounded — private  W.  B.  Moore,  se- 
riously, privates  A.  J.  Allen,  A.  M.  Cannon,  J.  P.  Wilson,  slightly. 
Company  C,  wounded — private  W.  T.  Harbin,  slightly.  Company  I), 
Captain  Randall,  slightly  wounded,  T.  J.  Love,  mortally.  Company 
E,  private  William  Anderson,  mortally  wounded,  since  died.  Com- 
pany G,  killed— private  J.  K.  P.  Jenkins;  wounded,  privates  H. 
McCoy  and  William  McBrown,  severely,  corporal  A.  T.  Hannah  and 
T.  R.  Moon,  mortally. 

Recapitulation — Killed,  3 

Wounded,  22 

25 

I  take  pleasure  in  calling  your  attention  to  the  gallant  and  enthu- 
siastic conduct  of  private  John  Thompson,  company  F,  and  J.  M, 
Byrd,  company  G,  who  boldly  moved  in  advance  of  the  command  and 
discharged  their  arras  with  due  caution  and  alacrity.  They  were  the 
first  to  open  fire,  and  last  to  quit  the  field,  and  I  am  happy,  while  re- 
porting the  especially  worthy  conduct  of  those  two  privates,  not  to  have 
a  solitary  instance  of  cowardice  or  wavering  to  report,  the  whole  com- 
mand having  advanced  and  stood  under  the  fire  from  which  older  troops 
and  greater  numbers  had  retired. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  SNODGRASS, 
Lietdenant  Colonel  Fourth  Alabama  Battalion. 


Report  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  the  action  at  Baton  Rouge. 

Headquaeters  1st  Division,      ) 
Camp  on  Comite  River,  August  10,  1862.  ) 

To  Captain  A.  Buckner,  A.  A.  General, 

Sir  :  I  herewith  submit  the  following  report  of  the  killed,  wounded 
and  missing  in  this  division,  in  the  action  of  the  5th  inst.,  at  Baton 
Rouge,  Louisiana: 

KILLED    in    second    BRIGADE. 

Fourth  Kentucky  Regiment. — Company  "  A,"  privates  R.  W. 
Hofiman  and  Joseph  Stuffman ;  company  *'  E,"  private  John  R. 
Bogette;  company  "  H,"  private  W.  0.  Daniel;  company  "I," 
Sergeant  Thomas  Hickley. 


134 

Fifth  Kentucky  Regiment. — Company  "  B,"  private  L.  P.  Smith; 
company  "  0,"  private  R.  S.  Brooks;  company  "  D,"  private  William 
Hicks;  company  *' E,"  privates  James  Bowers  and  Isaac  Rutlege  ; 
company  "  F,"  private  J.  W.  Wallace ;  company  '*  H,"  Sergeant 
John  II.  Hughes,  corporal  Moses  Lassiter,  privates  Alexander  Barry, 
Charles  Furburg  and  Thomas  Lurdy. 

Thirty-first  Mississippi  Regiment. — Company  "  D,"  privates  Wm. 
Sutton  and  J.  T.  Cain;  company  *'F,"  First  Lieutenant  W.  J.  Monahan 
and  Sergeant  S.  M.  McXutt ;  company  "I,"  private  W.  F.  Gray; 
company  *' K,"  Second  Lieutenant  J.  A.  McBra^er,  privates  J.  J. 
Barnett,  J.  W.  Hampton,  II.  II.  McWhartou  and  Nathan  Thompson. 

Thirty-first  Alabama  Battalion. — Company  "  F,''  privates  Isaiah 
Martin  and  0.   Vincent  Terry. 

Fourth    Alabama    Battalion. — Major   G.    L.  Alexander;    company 
"  G,"  private  J.  K.  P.  Jenkins. 
Total  killed,  thirty. 

WOUNDED. 

Fimrth  Kentucky  Regiment. — Company  "  C,"  Captain  S.  Iligginson 
and  private  Thomas  Pike,  severely ;  company  *'  D,"  Captain  W,  S. 
Roberts,  severely,  Sergeant  John  Yarbrough,  private  T.  Stiger, 
slightly,  and  private  John  0.  Lucas,  mortally  ;  company  "  E,"  privates 
R.  II.  Woodson,  mortally,  R.  Railey,  Jr.,  J.  J.  Price  and  H.  Hancock, 
slightly  ;  company  "  H,"  privates  John  Mahono,  slightly,  and  Thos. 
Ruggles,  severely;  company  "  I."  privates  Douglas  Camron,  severely, 
and  Nicholas  Lyon,  slightly. 

Fifth  Kentucky  Regiment. — Company  "  B,"  private  F.  Osborne, 
slightly;  company  "  C,"  Lieutenant  II.  II.  Harris,  dangerously, 
privates  J.  F.  Jackson,  J.  J.  Taylor,  slightly,  D.  Tinsley,  severely, 
and  J.  B.  Young,  slightly  ;  company  "  D,"  Lieutenant  Oscar  Kinnard, 
slightly,  privates  John  Estill  and  John  Henry,  dangerously  ;  company 
*'E,"  Sergeant  R.  M.  Hayne,  privates  Elbert  G rammer,  B.  Logan,  and 
J.  L.  Thompson,  slightly ;  company  "  F,"  private?  W.  P.  Ratcliff 
and  A.  L.  Fowler,  slightly ;  company  **  H,"  private  Josiah  Heath, 
severely;  company  "  G,"  Lieutenant  P.  V.  Daniel,  severely,  Sergeant 
Thomas  Strite  and  private  William  Beaucharap,  slightly,  privates 
Francis  Keith,  dangerously,  Fred  Moog,  M.  Nurraan,  Green  Woolsey 
and  Michael  McCarden,  severely ;  company  "  H,"  Sergeant  L.  II. 
Atwell,  privates  Edward  Elliott,  James  Hunt,  Godfrey  Polpes,  Lewis 
,  Stotsenberg,  Willian  McFudge,  severely,  Peter  Fritz,  slightly,  and 
A.  J.  Williams,  dangerously. 

Thirty-first  Mississippi  Regiment. — Fitzpatrick,  A.  C.  S.,  slightly, 
Sergeant-Major  F.  M.  McEwin,  severely,  and  Color  Sergeant  Peter 
Saunders,  mortally ;  company  **  A,"  privates  W.  J.  Private,  J.  W. 
Flharty,  J.  H.  Oowen  and  J.  W,  Newland,  slightly;  compamy  *' B," 
private  W.  A.  McGowan.  slightly;  company  "  0,"  Corporal  E.  E. 
Smith,  slightly,  privates  J.  M.  Gordon,  Reubin  Davis,  severely,  and 
G.  W.  Hill,  slightly ;  company  "  D,"  privates  G.  L.  Cain,  F.  M. 
Rayland,  W.  P.  Kyle,  severely,  P.  M.  Cobbs,  M.  R.  Beasly,  slightly, 


135 

and  J.  N.  Browti,  mortally ;  company  **  E,"  privates  D.  Mallins, 
mortally,  H.  A.  Cockran  and  G.  M.  Vaughan,  slightly ;  company 
'<  F,"  privates  W.  MeFinly,  mortally,  H.  Hubbard,  severely,  D.  J. 
Ramsey  and  H.  Phillips,  slightly;  ccmpany  "  G,"  privates  D.  Bow- 
land,  T.  Kirkpatrick,  W.  A.  Milan,  severely,  and  A.  G.  Monahan, 
slightly  ;  company  "  H,"  corporal  T.  N.  Ross,  severely,  private  J.  C, 
Wickless,  slightly;  Company  "I,"  private  J.  L.  Johnson,  severely; 
company  "  K,"  Corporal  A.  J.  McGraw  and  private  L.  M.  Free, 
severely,  W.  A.  McDowell  and  J.  P.  McWhorton,  slightly. 

Thirty-first  Alabama  Regiment. — Company  "  A,"'  private  Madison 
Willis,  severely;  company  "  B,"  Sergeant  W.  R.  Laughlin,  severely; 
company  '*  C,"'  Color  Seigeant  J.  C.  Brownfield,  and  private  J,  A. 
Smith,  severely;  company  "  E,"  privates  Watson  Mizell  and  J.  W. 
Walker,  severely ;  company  *'  G,"  Lieuienant  J.  L.  Ilaye,  severely  ; 
company  *' H,"  private  W.  P.  Smith,  slightly;  company  "  K," 
Lieutenant  H.  M.  Childress,  mortally. 

Fourth  Alabama  Battalion. — Company  "  A,"  privates  A.  Lewis,  A. 
J.  Allen,  A.  M.  Cameron,  J.  P.  Wilson,  slightly,  and  W.  B.  Moore, 
severely ;  company  "  C,"  Lieutenant  W,  J.  Stokes,  slightly,  privates 
M.  O'Connell,  S.  Olliver,  G.  Keenan,  J.  Andrews,  M.  S.  Harris,  P. 
Mattison  and  W.  J.  Harbin,  slightly;  company  "  D,"  Captain  W.  M. 
Randle,  slightly,  private  J.  J.  IjOvc,  mortally';  company  *'  E,"  privates 
Wm.  Anderson,  mortally,  and  J.  J.  Carleton,  slightly  ;  company  ''  G," 
privates  M.  L.  Lervell,  G.  A.  Sish,  slightly,  D.  F.  McCoy,  W.  M. 
Brown,  severely,  corporals  A.  J.  Hannah,  and  J.  B.  Moore,  mortally. 

The  Hudson  Battery. — Privates  J.  C.  Bagley,  severely  and  missing, 
John  Connelly,  Nath.  Miller,  Bennett  Davis,  slightly,  M.  R.  Beasley. 
(of  thirty-first  Mississippi,)  severely,  and  Fred.  R.  Hanson,  stunned 
severely  by  shell. 

Total  wounded,  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

MISSING. 

Fourth  Regiment  Kentucky  Volunteers, — Company  ■"  H,"  private 
Samuel  Clark. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed  thirty;  wounded  one  handred  and  twenty  ;   missiDg  one. 
Total,  one  hundred  and  fifty-one. 

KILLED  IN  FOURTH  BRIGADE. 

Twentieth  Rrgiment  Tennessee  Volunteers . — Company  "  G,"  private 
A.  W.  Thaxton. 

Forty-fifth  Regiment  Tennessee  Volunteeis. — Company  */ 1,"  James 
F.  Boreman. 

Twenty-second  Regiment  Mississippi  Volmiieers. — Captain  F.  Hughes, 
■commanding  regiment;  company  '•  A,"  private  John  Gray  ;  company 
'■'  C,"  privates  James  Stine,^  Matthew  Flaherty  and  Patrick  Brady  ; 
<coii:pany  '"D,"  Lieutenant  Burke  and  Corporal  Sharp;  company  '•  E," 


126 

private  J.  F.  Causey  and  J.  P.  Brown  ;  company  "  F,"  private  Jolin. 
F.    Callicotc ;    company    "  G,"    private   Simmons;    company    '•  H," 
private  T.  King ;  company  "  I,"  privates  I.  Hickey  and  P.  Honan. 
Total  killed,  sixteen. 

WOUNDED. 

Nindetnth  Tennessee  Regiment. — Company  '*  A,"  Lieutenant  N.  P. 
Nail,  severely. 

Twentieth  Ta  ncssee  Regim^yit. — Company   "  A,"  private  M.   Ken- 
nedy, Lieutenant  Murphy,  and  private  W.  A.  Hay,  slightly. 

Ticcnty -eighth  Tennessee  Rcgimint. — Company  '*  II,"  private  A.  B. 
King,  slightly;  company  "  K,"  private  C.  Field,  slightly. 

Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment. — Company   "  I,"   private   Soloman 
Tuttlc,  seriously ;  company  "  C,"  private  E.  Matthews,  slightly. 

Tweiity-sectnd  Regiment  3Iissusippi  I'^olunteers. — Adjutant  Fitz- 
patrick,  seriously;  company  "A,"  private  B.  Givens,  P,  Givens,  W. 
(J.  Calhoun,  seriously,  Captain  M.  A.  Oatis,  Lieutenant  Sutton  and 
private  Bozeman,  ?li<:htly  ;  company  "  B,''  Sergeant  C.  Brock,  privates 
B.  Williams,  W.  11.  Baily,  and  II.  Abbes,  slightly;  company  "  C," 
privates  H.  McMillen,  and  ^I.  Fitzpatrick,  seriously;  company  *' D," 
First  Sergeant  II.  Seger,  seriously.  Lieutenant  Golden,  and  private  P. 
McGrew,  slightly;  company  "  E,"  private  W.  G.  Brown,  slightly; 
company  "  F,"  privates  11.  C.  Stone,  and  B.  F.  Pritchard,  severely; 
company  *'G,"  Sergeants  Jerritt,  Duffie,  Corporal  L.  Byrd  and  private 
Smith,  seriously ;  company  "  H,"  Corporal  McCullough,  privates 
Campell  and  Collins,  seriously,  and  Sergeant  Wilds,  slightly;  company 
'•  I,"  private  J.  Pace,  slightly  ;  company  "K,"  Sergeant  Leater,  pri- 
vates E.  Beard,  seriously  ;  company  "  1,"  private  Ingraham,  slightly  ; 
company  *'  K,"  privates  S.  N.  Harsh  and  Jeff.  Sinclair,  slightly. 
Total  wounded,  forty- one. 

MISSING. 

Ninrteenth    Tennessee   Regiment. — Company    **  C,"    private   Emmet 
White. 

Fifteenth  Mississ^ippi  Regiment. — Company    *•  F,"  sergeant  E.  Mat- 
thews. 

Twenty-second  Mississippi  Regiment. — Company  "  I,"  private  J.  K. 
McDaniel. 

Total  missing,  three. 

SECOND  briuadf:. 

Total  killed,  thirty  ;  total  wounded,  one  hundred  and  twenty;  total 
missing,  one. 

Total  one  hundred  and  fifty-one. 

FOURTH    BRIGADE. 

Total  killed,  sixteen  ;  total  wounded,  forty-one  ;  total  missing,  three . 
Total  sixty. 


13: 


FIRST  DIVISION. 

Total  killed,  forty-six;  total  wounded,  one  hundred  and  sixty- one; 
total  missing,  four. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

JOHN  WEBB, 
Assistant  Adjutant  Geneial. 

T.  B.  Smith, 

Cclonel,  Commanding  First  Division: 


RETURN  of  the  Casualties  in  the  First  Division  at  the  Battle  of  Baton 
Rouge,  August  5th,  1862. 


COMMANDS. 


Second  Brigade. 

5th  Regiment  Kentucky  Volunteers, 

4th 

31st        "         Mississippi       " 

Slat        "         Alabama  " 

4th  Alabama  Battalion, 

Hudson's  Battel"}', 


FouKTii  Beigadk. 

19th  Regiment  Tennessee  Volunteers 

20ih         '«  "  '« 

28th 

45th 

15th         "         Mississippi       " 

2M 

Cobb'a  Battery, 


Total, 


13 


44 


1,5 


18 


This  Regiment  was  held  in  reserve. 


Respectfully  submitted, 


To  Gaptaia  Bccknke, 

Assistatit  Adjutant  General. 


T.  B.  smith. 
Colonel  Commandwg  ttrst  Division. 


138 

Officecs  mentioned  for   Gallant  Conduct  at  the  Battle  of  Baton  Rouge. 
Exhibit  ''A"  Report  of  the  First  Division. 

Captain  Hughes,  commanding  22d  Mississippi  Regiment. 

Brigadier  General  Charles  Clarke  and  his  aids. 

Lieutenants  Spooner  and  Yerger. 

Major  II.  E.  Topp,  of  the  3 1st  Mississippi  Regiment. 

Major  Brown,  Chief  of  Subsistence. 

Captain  J.  II.  Miller,  commanding  4th  Kentucky  Regiment. 

Colonel  Crossland,  7th  Kentucky  Regiment. 

Major  C.  Wickliffe,  of  the  5th  Kentucky, 

Privates  John  Thompson,  Company  II,  and  J.  M.  Byrd,  Company  G, 

4th  Alabama  Battalion. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Moore,  of  the  19th  Tennessee  Regiment. 
Adjutant  Fitzpatrick.  22d  Mississippi  Regiment, 


FIELD    REPORTS   OF   SECOND    DIVISION    AT    THE 
BATTLE  OF  BATON  ROUGE. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  M.  L.  SMITH. 

IIeapquarters  3d  District, 
Vicksburg,    August  — ,     1862. 

Maj.  M.  M.  KiMMEL,  A.  A.  G.  : 

Major  :  The  following  report  of  the  attack  and  defence  of  Vicks- 
burg is  respectfully  submitted  to  the  Major  General  commanding  the 
district  of  Mississippi : 

I  assumed  command  of  Vicksburg  and  its  defences  on  the  12th  of 
May,  in  obedience  to  orders  from  Major  General  Lovcll,  and  proceeded 
at  once  to  prepare  for  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  then  known  to  have 
passed  B  ton  Rouge  with  a  formidable  fleet,  having  in  view  to  open  the 
river  to  Memphis  and  Fort  Pillow,  then  in  our  possession.  At  the 
time  of  arriving,  the  State  of  preparation  for  defence  was  as  follows  :  Of 
the  ten  batteries  that  have  been  in  use,  three  were  mostly  complied, 
and  a  fourth  begun.  The  armed  troops  present  consisted  of  the  rem- 
nant of  the  8th  Louisiana  battalion,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Pinckney, 
and  the  27th  Louisiana  volunteers,  Colonel  Marke ;  both  of  my 
brigades  which  had  preceded  me  some  six  or  ten  days.  Colonel  J. 
L'Antry,  ordered  here  by  General  Bragg,  was  found  in  command, 
pushing  the  works  forward  vigorously  through  his  chief  engineer, 
Captain  D.  B.  Harris,  who  afterwards  remained  with  me  in  the  same 
capacity  until  most  of  the  works  were  completed.  From  the  13th 
until  the  18th,  the  works  were  pushed  forward  night  and  day  with  all 
possible  vigor,  at  the  end  of  which  the  first  division  of  the  Federal 
fleet,  together  with  transports,  carrying  some  three  thousand  men, 
made  their  appearance  and  found  us  in  a  condition  to  dispute,  with  a 
fair  prospect  of  success,  a  further  advance;  that  is  to  say,  six  batte- 
ries were  complete,  the  cannoniers  at  their  posts  and  fairly  drilled. 
The  arrival  of  this  advanced  division  was  immediately  followed  by  a 
demand  for  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  and  its  defences,  couched  in 
the  following  terms. 

"  U.  S.  S.  Oneida,  near  Vicksburg, 
''  May  18th,  1862. 

*'  To  THE  Authorities  at  Vicksburg: 

*'The  undersigned,  with  orders  from  Flag  Officer  Farragut  and 
Major  General  Butler,  respectfully  demand,  in  advance  of  the  ap- 


140 

preaching  fleet,  the  surrender  of  A^'icksburg  and  its  defences  to  the 
lawful  authorities  of  the  United  States,  under  which  private  property 
and  personal  right  will  be  respected. 

"  Very  respectfully,  yours, 
(Signed)  "J.  Phillips  Lee. 

'*  U.  S.  N.   Com.  Advance  Nai'al  Divis^mi. 
"  (Signed)  P.  Williams,  Brigadier  General.'' 

The  subjoined  reply  was  returned  : 

**  Headquarters  Vicksburg,  > 
"May  18th,  1862.  ] 
'*  Sir  :  Your  communication  of  this  date,  a  Idressed  to  the  authorities 
of  Vicksburg,  demanding  the  surrender  of  the  city  and  its  defences, 
has  been  received.  In  regard  to  the  surrender  of  the  defences,  I  havte 
to  reply  that,  having  been  ordered  here  to  hold  these  defences,  my 
intention  is  to  do  fo  as  long  as  it  is  iu  my  power. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  '  "  M.  L.  Smith, 

"  Brigadier  General  Commanding. 
*' To  Phillips  Lee,  U.  S.  N.   Commanding  Advance '-Naval  Division.'" 

I  here  remark  that  the  citizens  of  the  town  had,  with  great  unanim- 
ity, made  up  their  minds  that  its  possession  ought  to  be  maintained  at 
all  hazards,  even  though  total  demolition  should  be  the  result.  This 
determination  was  enthusiastically  concurred  in  by  persons  of  all  ages 
and  both  sexes,  and  borne  to  my  ears  from  every  quarter.  Thus, 
cheered  on  and  upheld,  the  defence  became  an  affair  of  more  than  public 
interest,  and  the  approving  sentiment  of  those  so  deeply  interested 
unquestionadly  had  its  influence  on  the  ultimate  result,  as  affairs  stand 
to-day.  Our  cause  probably  needed  an  example  of  this  kind,  and 
assuredly  a  bright  one  has  been  given.  The  inhabitants  had  been  ad- 
vised to  leave  the  city  when  the  smoke  of  the  ascending  gunboats  was 
first  seen,  under  the  impression  that  the  enemy  would  open  fire  imme- 
diately on  arrival;  hence,  the  above  demand  found  the  city  sparsly 
populated,  and  somewhat  prepared  for  an  attack,  although,  when  it 
really  commenced,  there  were  numbers  still  to  depart,  besides  many 
who  had  determined  to  remain  and  take  the  chances  of  escaping  un- 
harmed, a  few  of  whom  absolutely  endured  to  the  end.  As  bearing 
immediately  upon  the  defence  of  this  place,  measures  had  also  been 
taken  to  push  the  "Arkansas"  to  completion.  It  was  reported  the 
contractor  had  virtually  suspended  work  ;  that  mechanics  and  workmen 
were  leaving ;  that  supplies  were  wanting  ;  finally,  that  a  very  consider- 
able quantity  of  iron  prepared  for  covering  her  had  been  sunk  in  the 
Yazoo  river.  Steps  were  taken  to  promptly  furnish  mechanics  and 
supplies,  and  bell-boat  being  obtained  and  sent  up  to  the  spot,  the 
prepared  iron  was  soon  recovered.  It  was  considered  fortunate  that 
soon  after  this.  Captain  Brown  was  assigned  to  the  duty  of  com- 
pleting the  boat,  as  after  his  assignment  this  important  work,  gave  me 
no  further  concern.  The  enemy  remained  apparently  inactive  until 
the  28th,  during  which  time  the    advance  division  of  the    fleet  was 


J 


141 

joined  by  other  gunboats,  making  ten  in  all.  My  force  bad,  in  the 
meantirae,  been  increased  by  the  2tlth  and  28th  Louisiana  volunteers, 
numbering  for  duty  some  five  hundred  each,  by  five  compa- 
nies of  Starke's  cavalry;  one  battery;  Wither's  artillery,  Captain 
Ridley  ;  and  four  companies  sixth  Mississippi  battalion,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Balfour;  but  all  were  troops  just  mustered  into  service,  and 
indifferently  armed.  These  were  thrown  forward  towards  Warronton, 
and  disposed  for  disputing  inch  by  inch,  the  approach  by  land.  This 
force  was  subsequently  increased  by  the  4th  and  5th  Louisiana.  The 
ensuing  ten  days  I  consider  the  most  critical  period  of  the  defences  of 
Vicksburg.  Batteries  incomplete,  guns  not  mounted,  troops  few,  and 
both  officers  and  men  entirely  new  to  service,  and  not  a  single  regular 
officer  to  assist  in  organizing  and  commanding.  Had  n  prompt  and  vigo- 
rous attack  been  made  by  the  enemy,  while  1  think  the  disposition  made 
would  have  insured  their  repulse,  still  the  issue  would  have  been  less 
certain  than  at  any  time  afterwards.  The  enemy  opened  fire  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  25th  for  the  first  time,  and  continued  about  two  hours, 
apparently  with  a  view  of  getting  our  range.  The  orders  given  to 
the  batteries  were  not  to  return  their  fire  at  extreme  range,  and  at 
ordinary  range  only  at  considerable  intervals.  This  policy  was 
adhered  to  throughout,  at  first,  because  little  ammunition  had  then 
arrived ;  afterwards,  for  the  reason  that  our  works  could  not  be 
injured  by  direct  firing,  and  by  saving  the  men,  thoy  were  fresh  night 
and  day  to  meet  close  and  serious  attacks,  such  as  occurred  before 
the  termination  of  the  bombardment;  besides,  the  enemy  were  thus 
kept  ignorant  of  our  real  strength  as  well  as  the  eflfect  of  their  own 
shot.  It  was  not  long  before  they  apparently  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  no  impression  could  be  made  on  our  works  by  their  gunboats,  nor 
the  erection  of  new  batteries  prevented  whenever  attempted  ;  and  the 
remaining  six  batteries,  of  the  ten  first  mentioned,  were  constructed 
under  their  eyes. 

From  the  2(jth  of  May  to  the  middle  of  June  the  firing  was 
kept  up  at  intervals,  and  more  or  less  heavy  the  latter  part  of  the 
time,  directed  mainly  at  the  town,  and  at  localities  where  they  appa- 
rently thought  troops  were  encamped.  From  the  14th  to  the 
18th  of  June  there  was  an  entire  cessation  of  the  attack,  the 
mortar  fleet  that  had  bombarded  Fort  Jackson  and  Fort  Phillip  being 
on  the  way  here  to  join  in  the  attack.  They  began  to  arrive  on  the 
18th,  and  to  the  number  of  eighteen  or  nineteen  were  in  position 
on  the  2()th,  on  the  afternoon  of  which  day  the  bombardment  again 
opened.  Prior  to  this,  a  new  source  of  anxiety  arose.  Fort  Pillow 
and  Memphis  had  fallen,  and  in  addition  to  the  attack  we  were  endur- 
ing, Vicksburg  was  threatened  by  a  combined  land  and  naval  force 
from  above.  From  the  2()th  to  the  27th  the  bombardment  was 
pretty  constant  during  the  day  time,  at  times  very  heavy,  but 
generally  ceasing  at  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  at  night.  On  the 
evening  of  the  27th  the  firing  began  to  increase  in  fury,  and, 
for  some  time,  a  shower  of  bomb-shells  was  rained  upon  our  bat- 
teries that  severely  tried  the  nerve  and  courage  of  both  officers  and 
men,  still  the  damage  was  quickly  repaired^  and  the  men  held  their 


142 

places  at  the  guns.  At  daj'light,  on  the  2Sth,  the  enemy  recom- 
menced with  the  same  fury,  and  it  was  soon  perceived  that  the 
entire  gunboat  fleet  was  in  motion,  moving  rapidly  up  in  front  of  the 
batteries  and  city,  and  it  became  apparent  that  the  decisive  struggle 
was  at  hand.  Some  thirty-five  vessels  were  soon  firing  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  the  mortars  filling  the  air  with  shells,  and  the  sloops-of-war 
and  gunboats  delivering  broadside  after  broadside  of  shot,  shell  and 
grape,  according  to  their  distance.  Our  batteries  opened  as  soon  as 
the  vessels  were  within  range,  and,  for  the  first  time,  in  full  force. 
The  roar  of  cannon  was  now  continuous  and  deafening,  loud  explo- 
sions shook  the  city  to  its  foundations,  shot  and  shells  went  hissing 
an<l  tearing  through  trees  and  walls,  scattering  fragments  far  and  wide 
in  their  terrific  flight.  Men,  women  and  children  rushed  into  the 
streets,  and  amid  the  crashing  of  falling  houses,  commenced  their 
hasty  flight  to  the  country  for  safety.  This  continued  for  about  an 
hour  an  a  half,  when  the  enemy  left ;  the  vessels  that  had  passed  the 
lower  batteries  continuing  on  up  the  river,  apparently  as  the  quickest 
mi-an'^  of  getting  out  of  range  ;  those  that  had  not  passed,  rapidly  drop- 
ping down.  The  result  of  this  effort  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  was  most 
satistactory.  Not  a  single  gun  was  silenced  or  disabled,  and,  to  their 
surprise,  the  serious  bombardment  of  the  preceding  seven  days  had 
thrown  nothing  out  of  fighting  trim.  It  also  demonstrated  to  our 
sati --faction  that,  how  large  soever  the  number  of  gun  and  mortar 
boats,  our  batteries  could  probably  be  successfully  held,  consequently 
that  the  ultimate  success  of  our  resistance  hinged  upon  a  movement 
by  land.  The  enemy  evidently  came  to  the  same  conclusion,  as,  after 
one  week's  bombardment  with  their  mortars,  and  the  final  attempt,  on 
the  morning  0/  28th  June,  to  silence  and  take  our  guns,  the 
atta  k  swnsibly  decreased  in  vigor  and  persistency.  Up  to  the 
-Sth  there  had  been  a  great  pressure  on  my  command,  owing  to  the 
limited  number  of  men.  The  situation  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  and  the 
peculiar  shape  of  the  river  in  this  vicinity,  combined  with  the  prox- 
imity of  the  Yazoo  and  the  expected  descent  of  a  large  force  from 
above,  (as  reported,)  had  necessitated  a  rather  heavy  line  of  pickets, 
extending  along  a  distance  of  twenty  miles.  To  keep  up  this  line, 
and  sustain  a  heavy  attack  at  the  same  time,  taxed  the  energies  of  my 
men  to  a  great  extent.  The  arrival  of  the  advance  brigade  of  Major 
General  Breckinridge's  reserve  corps  was  a  great  respite,  and,  as  the 
force  was  gradually  increased,  thus  bringing  us  to  an  equality  in  num- 
bers vrith  that  which  accompanied  the  fleet,  it  was  almost,  felt  that 
Vickshurg  was  no  longer  besieged.  The  general  command  of  these 
defences  was  assumed  by  Major  General  Earl  Van  Dorn,  on  the 
28th  of  June,  Major  General  Lovell  having  been  relieved  by 
him  from  the  command  of  the  Department.  Being  authorized  to  make 
requisitions  on  the  reserve  corps  for  whatever  force  was  deemed  neces- 
sary to  carry  out  the  plan  of  defence,  the  picket  front  was,  after 
the  28th,  divided  into  five  divisions,  the  two  extreme  ones 
guarded,  by  detachments  from  my  brigade,  (third  Louisiana)  the 
remaining  three  by  detachments  from  Brigadier  Generals  Preston, 
Helm's  and  Colonel  Statham's  brigades,  reinforced  by  light  batteries 


143 

from  Colonel  Withers'  artillery.  The  fleet  from  Memphis  began  to 
make  its  appearance  above  on  the  26th  of  June,  and  continued 
to  receive  accessions  until  it  numbered,  in  all,  forty-odd  gun-boats, 
mortar-boats,  rams  and  transports.  Firing  commenced  fi-om  this  fleet 
on  the  12th  July,  and  although,  at  no  time,  as  heavy  as  from  the 
lower  fleet,  continued,  with  but  little  interruption,  until  the  final 
bombardment  of  the  attack.  On  the  morning  of  the  15ih,  the 
daring  passage  of  the  ram  "  Arkansas,"  out  of  the  Yazoo,  through  the 
enemy's  fleet,  seemed  to  necessitate  a  prompt  descent  of  those  vessels 
that  had  passed  up  on  the  28th,  and  everything  was  accord- 
ingly placed  in  readiness  for  them,  A  new  battery  of  twenty-four 
pounders,  just  erected,  was  manned  by  a  light  artillery  detachment 
from  Preston's  brigade,  under  Lieutenant  Gracy,  and  sharpshooters, 
from  the  same  brigade,  placed  along  the  bank,  wherever  the  ground 
was  favorable.  As  conjectured,  the  enemy  Avere  in  motion  at  sun- 
down, and  at  dusk  descended  amid  the  roar  of  cannon,  the  flashing  of 
musketry,  the  glare  of  lightning,  and  scenes  in  every  respect  such  as 
had  distinguished  their  passage  up,  except  that  the  action  was  of 
shorter  duration,  and  the  "  Arkansas "  was  on  the  river  returnin2 
their  broadsides.  The  firing  was  mainly  over  in  the  course  of  an  hour, 
and,  at  the  batteries,  not  a  single  casualty  from  the  enemy's  shot 
occurred.  From  the  15th  to  the  18th  the  enemy  were  mainly  occu- 
pied in  endeavoring  to  sink  the  "  Arkansas "  with  their  mortars, 
and  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  a  daring  attempt  was  made  to  cut 
her  out  from  under  one  of  our  batteries.  It  resulted,  however,  in 
no  injury  to  the  "  Arkansas,"  but  in  the  destruction  of  one  of  their 
boats.  This  was  really  the  termination  of  the  attack,  although  the 
bombardment  was  kept  up  until  the  27th,  when  both  fleets  disappeared. 
It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  enemy  were  in  front  of  Yicksburg  sixty- 
seven  days,  during  which  the  combined  eff'orts  of  two  powei'ful  fleets 
have  been  foiled,  and  the  accompanying  land  force  from  four  to  five 
thousand  held  at  bay. 

The  number  of  shot  and  shells  thrown  by  the  fleets  is  unknown  It 
has  been  estimated  as  high  as  25,01)0  and  put  as  low  as  20,000.  The 
number,  however,  is  unimportant  and  mentioned  only  to  illustrate  the 
fact,  that  the  loss  to  a  land  battery  when  attacked  by  one  afloat  is 
comparatively  small.  The  casualties  from  the  enemy's  firing  was 
seven  killed,  fifteen  wounded.  In  the  town  two  only  are  reported. 
The  enemy  fired  at  least  ten  shots  to  our  one,  and  their  number  of 
killed  and  wounded  can,  from  information,  be  safely  put  down  at  five 
times  as  great.  It  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  not  a  single  gun  was 
dismounted  during  the  whole  time,  and  only  two  temporarily  disabled, 
both  being  repaired  in  one  night.  The  number  of  guns  brought 
against  us,  including  mortars,  could  not  have  been  much  less  than 
three  hundred.  The  number  on  our  side,  as  you  are  aware,  was  con- 
siderably less.  After  this  general  description  given,  it  would  bo 
great  injustice  not  to  mention  the  commands  and  their  oflScers  that 
have  been  instrumental  in  so  signal  a  success.  The  batteries  were 
manned  by  three  companies  of  1st  regiment  Louisiana  artillery,  two 
companies  of  the  22<1,  two  companies  23d  Louisiana  volunteers.  Major 


141 

r 

Clinch;  four  companies  heavy  artillery  from  Fort  Pillow.  Majo 
Headley ;  three  companies  8th  Louisiana  battalion,  Major  Ogden. 
Col.  Jackson  and  Lieut.  Col.  Sterling,  both  of  the  heavy  artillery, 
were,  respectively,  in  immediate  command  of  the  upper  and  lower 
batteries,  and  Col.  Fuller,  Chief  of  Heavy  Artillery  Lieut.  Colonel 
Pinkney,  8th  Louisiana  battalion,  in  command  of  two  of  the  lower 
batteries  for  a  portion  of  the  time,  was  temporarily  relieved,  under  a 
special  organization,  which  reduced  the  battalion  to  a  major's  com- 
mand. The  officers  commanding  these  companies  were  as  follows  : 
Captains  Capers,  Grayson,  Butler.  Tissot,  Purvis,  Ilerrod,  Todd, 
Disumkes,  Parks,  Morman,  Postlcthwaite,  Durives,  Kerr,  and  Licuts. 
Eustis,  Butler  and  McCrory.  The  names  of  the  above-mentioned 
officers  are  given  for  the  reason  that  in  connection  with  their  lieuten- 
ants and  men,  they  have  passed  through  an  ordeal  that  troops  are 
but  seldom  called  upon  to  undergo  !  For  more  than  seventy-five  days 
and  nights  have  these  batteries  been  continuously  manned  and  ready 
for  action  at  a  moment's  warning.  During  much  of  this  time  the 
roar  of  cannon  has  been  unceasing,  and  there  have  been  portions 
of  it  during  which  the  noise  of  falling  shot  and  the  explosions  of 
shells  have  been  such  as  might  make  the  stoutest  heart  quail.  Yet 
none  faltered.  The  blazing  sun,  the  fatiguing  night  watch,  the  st^rm 
of  battle — all  were  alike  cheerfully  endured,  and  whenever  called  upon, 
heavy  and  telling  blows  were  dealt  upon  our  foes  in  return.  I  feel  a 
pride  in  having  such  officers  and  such  men  under  my  command,  for 
they  have  nobly  sustained  our  cause  in  time  of  need,  have  added  to 
the  country's  glory,  and  deserve  Avell  of  her  gratitude.  Some  officers 
possibly  attracted  my  attention  more  than  others  by  their  ehivalric 
courage  and  inspiriting  manner  ;  yet  the  conduct  of  all  was  so  noble 
and  unexceptionable  that  I  do  not  venture  to  particularize.  The  dis- 
tant picketing  was  most  efficiently  and  faithfully  performed  by  the  cav- 
alry, commanded  at  different  times  by  Col.  Starke,  Lt.  Col.  Ferguson 
and  Major  Jones,  according  as  they  were  present.  The  nearer  picket 
duty,  together  with  that  of  being  at  all  times  guarded  against  surprise 
and  ready  to  meet  an  attack,  was  so  patiently  and  carefully  performed 
by  the  26th,  27th  and  28th  Louisiana  volunteers,  under  Colonels  De- 
clonet,  Marks  and  Allen  Thomas;  the  4th  and  I7th  Louisiana  volun- 
teers, Col.  Allen  and  Col.  Richardson  ;  also,  by  the  3d  regiment  and 
6th  battalion  Mississippi  volunteers,  Col.  Mellon  and  Lieut.  Colonel 
Balfour,  together  with  Wither's  Light  Artillery,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
Parker,  that  I  felt  secure  in  giving  most  of  my  attention  to  the  bom- 
bardment going  on.  Whenever  events  demanded  a  united  movement 
of  all,  I  found  a  most  reliable  and  efficient  officer  to  represent  me  and 
cari-y  out  my  instructions  in  the  person  of  my  present  Assistant 
Adjutant  General,  Col.  Girault,  whose  judgment  and  zeal  were  never 
at  fault.  Of  Captain  Lockett,  the  accomplished  engineer  officer  of 
my  staff,  I  have  to  speak  in  terms  of  unqualified  praise,  both  as 
regards  skill  in  his  profession  and  qualities  as  a  soldier.  The  ser- 
vices of  such  an.  officer  are  so  important  and  indispensable  as  to  have 
all  the  effect  of  a  positive  increase  of  force  in  determining  the  issue  of 
a  contest.     I  most  cordially  recommend  him  to  notice.     Captain  Mc- 


145 

Donald,  brigade  ordnance  officer,  and  Captains  Frost  and  Harrod, 
aids,  have  in  turn  performed  almost  every  duty,  during  the  siege, 
known  to  the  service;  always  prompt,  they  are  distinguished  for  in- 
telligence and  perseverance  in  the  performance  of  duty  that  merits 
<;onstant  praise.  To  the  Brigade  <<^kiartermaster,  Major  J.  St.  Patton, 
and  Brigade  Commissary,  Major  Reed,  are  due  such  mention  as  de- 
voted attention  to  their  duties  and  the  interests  of  the  service  merits, 
both  have  performed  all  the  duties  pertaining  to  a  department,  and 
both  have  been  compelled  almost  to  create  what  they  have  had.  The 
part  borne  during  the  latter  days  of  the  bombardment,  by  a  detach- 
ment from  Major  General  Breckinridge's  division,  requires  special 
mention.  Captain  Cobb's  company  of  light  artillery,  under  Lieut. 
Gracy,  manned  a  battery  which  was  so  spiritedly  served  as  to  attract 
attention  on  both  occasions  in  which  it  was  engaged,  and  was  even 
noticed  by  the  enemy.  The  sharpshooters,  detailed  from  the  same 
command,  kept  up  a  galling  fire  on  the  enemy  during  the  passage  of 
the  vessels  on  the  evening  of  the  1 5th  and  drove  them  from  the  tops. 
The  lamented  Col.  Statham's  brigade,  under  his  own  lead,  showed  a 
bravery  in  guarding  the  front  of  attack  assigned  him,  that  could  not 
be  surpassed.  On  one  occasion,  having  forced  his  way  through  a 
swamp,  deemed  impassable,  he  made  a  rush  upon  the  mortar  boats 
moored  to  shore,  driving  the  force  guarding  on  board,  and  had  the 
positions  of  the  boats  been  accurately  known,  would  have  taken  pos- 
session of  and  destroyed  several.  The  engineer  company  under  Capt. 
"Winter  was  steadily  occupied  in  the  repairs  of  batteries  and  did  ad- 
mirable service. 

The  report  of  the  struggle  at  Vicksburg  would  be  incomplete  with- 
out the  following  merited  tribute  :  During  the  engagement  of  the 
28th  a  most  estimable  lady,  Mrs.  Gamble,  lost  her  life  by  the  fragment 
of  a  shell  striking  her  while  leaving  the  cit\.  This  lady  deserves 
more  than  a  passing  notice.  Burning  with  patriotism,  she  inspired 
all  around  her  with  the  noble  spirit  of  resistance  to  oppression,  and 
confidence  in  the  success  of  our  cause.  Ever  present  in  the  hospitals, 
ministering  to  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  she  was  among  the  last 
of  her  sex  to  leave  the  desolated  city,  when  she  yielded  up  her  life  in 
attestation  of  her  faith  and  devotion  Though  but  the  type  of  a  class 
of  which  our  southern  land  can  boast,  she  is  a  martyr  to  the  cause  she 
loved,  and  without  her  name  the  history  which  Vicksburg  has  made 
for  herself  would  be  incomplete.  To  the  citizens  of  Vioksburg  a  na- 
tion's thanks  are  due  for  their  noV)le  example  in  surrendering  their 
property  and  homes  to  almost  certain  destruction,  and  that  so  little 
damage  was  done  does  not  detract  from  the  merit  of  the  act,  but  rather 
serves  to  call  for  gratitude  to  tho  Supreme  Being  who  has  not  only 
preserved  from  destruction  the  home?  of  a  patriotic  people,  but  in 
mercy  granted  a  victory  over  their  enemies.  In  conclusion,  I  deem  it 
proper  to  remark  upon  the  manner  in  which  the  bombardment  was 
conducted.  In  locating  the  batteries,  pains  had  been  taken  to  place 
them  without  the  limits  of  the  town,  advantageous  positions  even  hav- 
ing been  rejected  with  that  view,  so  that  in  the  approaching  struggle, 
the  fight  might,  if  the  enemy  so  chose,  be  confined  to  the  armed  points, 
10 


146 

and  the  city  itself,  >vliich  could  have  no  bearing  upon  the  ultimate  re- 
sult, be  made  to  suffer  as  little  as  an  enlightened  and  humane  method 
of  conducting  war  would  lead  us  to  expect  and  which,  under  the  same 
circumstances,  I  think  most  enemies  would  have  pursued.  Events 
did  not  justify  our  expectations.  The  bombardment  opened  upon  both 
batteries  and  town.  This  was  expected,  and  could  not  be  objected  to, 
and  no  fault  is  found  at  its  continuing  so  as  long  as  the  enemy  had 
hopes  of  accomplishing  their  object,  but  when  the  attack  on  the  bat- 
teries ceased,  when  the  bo:i  barding  force  began  even  to  gradually 
leave,  when  it  was  notorious  that  they  deemed  their  attack  a  failure, 
then  to  continue  to  throw  shells  into  a  beautiful  town,  as  was  done  day 
after  day,  with  the  sole  purpose  of  injuring  it,  of  defacing  it,  and  of 
destroying  private  propert}^  indicated  a  spirit  of  ^Tanton  destruction, 
scarcely  pardonable  in  the  uncivilized  Indian.  This  seemed  to  be  the 
special  mission  of  the  upper  fleet.  Shame  to  the  man  who  commanded 
it! 

I  am  respectfully,  vour  obedient  servant, 

M.  L.  SMITH, 
Brigadier  Gcnercd  Commanding  Defences,  Vicksburg. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  J.  W.  ROBERTSON,  COMMANDING 

FIRST  BRIGADE. 

Headquarters  1st  Brigade,  2d  DlVISIo^f,      ) 
Camp  on  Comite  River,  August  7,  1862.  > 

To  Captain  L.  D.  Sandidge,  A.  A.  A.  General,  2d  Division, 

Captain  :  On  receiving  the  order  to  report  the  part  taken  in  the 
action  of  the  5th  inst.,  by  the  JBrst  brigade,  I  referred  the  order  to 
Colonel  A.  P.  Thompson,  who  commanded  the  brigade  during  the 
action,  with  the  exception  of  the  closing  half  hour  that  the  troops 
were  under  fire,  when  he  was  borne  from  the  field  severely  wounded, 
and  I  submit,  by  his  request,  the  following  report : 

On  reaching  the  angle  of  the  main  road  leading  into  Baton  Rouge, 
the  brigade  was  formed  in  line  of  battle,  in  a  common  to  the  left  of 
the  main  road,  the  right  of  the  brigade  resting  on  that  road,  and  the 
left  near  a  dense  forest,  into  which  Colonel  Allen's  brigade  had  passed. 
The  brigade  was  composed  of  the  following  regiments,  positioned  from 
right  to  left  in  the  order  named:  Third  Kentucky,  Captain  J,  H. 
Bowman  commanding;  seventh  Kentucky,  Colonel  Edward  Crossland 
commanding ;  thirty-fifth  Alabama,  Colonel  J.  W.  Robertson  com- 
manding, and  the  sixth  Kentucky,  Lieutenant  Colonel  M.  II.  Cofer 
commanding.  As  soon  as  the  line  was  established,  the  command, 
**  foA'ward,"  was  given  by  General  Ruggles  in  person,  which  was 
promptly  obeyed  by  the  brigade,  moving  forward  beyond  the  dwelling- 
house  immediately  to  the  front.  The  line  was  at  this  time  found  to 
be  somewhat  deranged,  caused  by  the  numerous  fences  and   houses, 


147 

©ver  and  around  which  the  troops  had  to  pass.     The  brigade  was  con- 
sequently   halted  and  the   alignment   rectified,  when  the    command 
*'  forward,"  was  again  given.     The  brigade  moved  directly  to   the 
front,  parallel  to  the  main   road,   preceded  by  a  company  of   sharp 
shooters  deployed  a^  skirmishers,  and   commanded  by  Lieutenant  J. 
C.  Hubbard.     At  this  point  the   firing  commenced   first,  the    line   of 
the  enemy  having  been   unma.«ked  by  the  skirmishers.     The   firing 
was  continued  but  a  short  time  when  an  order   was  received  for  the 
brigade  to  charge,  and  the  troops  rushed  forward  with   a  cheer,   the 
enemy  breaking  before  them.     Having  reached  the  middle  of  the  field, 
the  brigade  was  exposed  to  a  fire  from  the  right  which   could   not  be 
returned  without  exposing  the  troops  of  General   Clark's   division   to 
the  fire  of  the  brigade,  and  was  consequently  halted   until   the   firing 
ceased.     An  advance  was  made,  skirmishing  covering  the  front.     The 
second  line  of  the  enemy  was  thus  unmasked  and  exposed  to  the  fire 
of  the  brigade.      They  gave  way    precipitately  before   the   steady  ad- 
vance of  our  troops.     On  clearing  the  fields  and  reaching  the  enemy's 
encampment,  the  right  wing  was  found  to  be  covered  by  a  portion  of 
Gen.  Clark's  division.     An  ofiicer  approached  from  the  right  and  stated 
that  friends  were  exposed  to  our  fire,  when  the  firing  ceased  and  the 
charge  ordered  by  Colonel  Thompson,  he  leading  the  brigade  into  the 
encampment  of  the  enemy  to  the  left,  which   was   nearly    cleared   by 
this  brigade,  when  troops  were  met  on  the   right   returning   without 
any  apparent  cause,  and  were  ordered  t^y  Colonel   Thompson   to   halt 
and  advance,  when  a  mounted  ofiicer  informed  Colonel  Thompson  that 
it  was  the  order  for  all  the  troops  to  fall  back.     This   movement  be- 
came general  in  the  brigade.     In  retiring   the   thirty-fifth   Alabama, 
and  sixth  Kentucky,  forming  the   left   v/ing,   became   separated  from, 
the  right  and  occupied  a  position  in  line  one   hundred    yards  to    the 
left  and  rear.     The  enemy  reformed  in  heavy  force  behind  their  tents 
rapidly  advancing,  firing  and  cheering.     The  third  and  seventh  Ken- 
tucky   regiments    were   thrown    under  cover   and   met  this   advance 
with  a  steady  fire.      The    thirty-fifth    Alabama    and   sixth   Kentucky- 
were  ordered  forward,  but  advanced  before  the    order    reached    them, . 
opening  a  heavy  fire  upon  the  enemy,  whose  advance  was  thus  checked. 
At  this  point,  Colonel  Thompson  was    severely  wounded  ai  d  taken  to  ■ 
the  rear.     The  command  devolving  upon  Colonel  Robertson,  who' be- 
ing, fiom  complete  exhaustion,  in  no  condition  at  that  time  to  assume 
command,  and  finding  the  right  wing  separated  from   the  left,   placed 
Colonel  Crossland  in  command  of   the   right  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
E.  Goodwin  in  command  of  the  left,  with  orders  to  maintain  the   line, 
which  was  firmly  held  for  nearly  an  hour,  in  the  face  of  a  terrible  fire 
from  musketry  and  artillery,  when  the  charge,  which  closed  the  action, 
was  made  in  person  by  the  Mojor    General   commanding.     It    is    the 
request  of  Colonel  Thompson,  that  his  entire  approbation  of  the  con- 
duct of  all  the  field  and  acting  field  officers  engaged,  and   Captain  \Vv 
P.  Wallace  and  Lieutenant  Charles  Temple,  Aids,  and  Acting  Adju**- 
tant  R.  B.  L.  Soney,  of  the  third  Kentuck^^,   be   specially  expreseeiil 
in  this  report.     To  the  deportment  of  the  thiity-fifth   Alabama  regi^ 
ment,  he  desires  attention  to  be  caliod.     This   regiment,  although  for 


14S 

the  first  time  under  fire, on  the  5th  instant,  proved  itself  a  w^orthy 
comrade  for  the  third,  sixth  and  seventh  Kentucky  regiments,  who  in- 
this  action  sustained  the  enviable  reputation  won  b}'  them  on  the  field 
of  Shiloh.  Colonel  llobertson  would  call  special  attention  to  the- 
gallant  conduct  of  Colonel  E.  Crossland  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  E, 
Goodwin,  who,  the  first  with  his  regimental  colors  in  hand,  and-the- 
second  with  his  hat  on  his  sword,  led  the  brigade  in  the  final  charge. 
To  the  reports  of  regimental  commanders  you  aro  referred  for  notices 
of  gallant  conduct  in  oth.-r  members  of  the  command.  The  medical 
staff  deserve  the  highest  praise  for  their  prompt  and  un^ceasing  atten- 
tion to  the  wounded. 

By  order  of 
G.  C.  Hubbard,  Lt.  and  A.  A.  G.: 

J.  W.  ROBERTSON, 
Colonel  ■commanding  first  Brigade,  second  Division^ 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  II.  W.  ALLEN,  COMMx\NDING 
SECOND  BRIGADE. 

East  Baton  Rouge,  August  18,  1862. 

Oapt,  BuCKNER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General: 
Sir  :  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  instant,  in  pursuance  to  orders  of 
Brigadier  General  Ruggles,  I  formed  the  second  brigade,  second  divi- 
sion, in  line  of  battle ;  the  left  of  the  brigade  resting  upoa  Bernard's 
fence,  in  the  rear  of  Magruder's  Institute,  and  the  right  resting  upon 
the  first  brigade.  On  the  right  was  placed  Colonel  Breau.x,  of  the 
thirtieth  Louisiana;  on  the  left  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hunter,  of  the  fourth 
Louisiana,  and  in  the  centre  was  the  battalion  of  Ijieutenant  Colonel 
Boyle.  At  dawn  of  day  I  received  orders  to  advance.  The  brigade 
was  put  in  motion  and  advanced  steadily  through  thick  woods,  under- 
brush, cornfields  and  picket  fences.  In  the  midst  of  the  forest  we 
encountered  a  battery  supported  by  infantry.  We  halted  and  delivered 
several  volleys  in  quick  succession.  The  enemy  tied  in  every  direc- 
tion, taking  off  his  artillery  with  him.  We  started  in  pursuit,  and 
after  considerable  desultory  firing  upon  the  retreating  foe,  I  discovered 
a  battery  on  the  extreme  left,  (said  to  bo  Mimen's.)  supported  by  a 
large  amount  of  infantry.  It  was  evident  that  this  was  a  flanking 
movement,  and  required  my  immediate  attention.  I  ordered  a  move- 
ment to  be  made  to  the  left,  and  advanced  in  tlie  direction  of  the  battery. 
At  the  command,  "  charge,''  the  whole  brigade  raised  a  shout  and  made 
as  gallant  a  charge  as  was  ever  witnessed.  Here  I  fell,  my  legs  terribly 
shattered  with  cannister  shot.  What  transpired  after  this  on  the 
battle  field  I  do  not  know.  The  loss  of  blood  and  extreme  pain  had 
rendered  me  almost  senseless.  To  my  successor  in  command  I  must 
refer  you  for  further  particulars  of  the  fight.  The  officers  and  soldiers 
of  this  brigade  fought  with  much  gallantry,  and,  with  few  exceptions, 


U9 

^id  their  duty  nobly.  I  have  been  informed  that,  upon  my  fall,  the 
brigade  could  not  .be  rallied.  This  has  often  happened  with  the  best 
of  troops  and  the  bravest  veterans,  and  should  not  attach  any  disgrace 
to  the  soldiers.  l*^o  one  charges  that  the  brigade  retreated  from  the 
enemy,  or  even  retired  from  the  place  of  danger.  The  enemy  had 
been  Avhipped,  and  had  fled  in  every  direction.  Captain  Semmes' 
battery  came  up,  fired  a  few  rounds  upon  the  retreating  foe,  and  all 
was  over.  To  my  adjutant.  Lieutenant  B.  W.  Clarke,  and  to  my 
voluntary  aid.  Lieutenant  II.  II.  Walsh,  I  am  much  indebted.  They 
performed  their  duties  with  great  gallantry,  coolness  and  bravery. 
Captain  Blount  was  assigned  to  duty  as  inspector  of  the  brigade. 
During  the  journey  from  Camp  Moore,  he  lost  his  horse,  and  had 
been  relieved  from  duty  as  inspector  by  the  commanding  General. 
He,  however,  secured  a  horse,  and,  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight, 
reported  himself  for  duty  to  me.  I  give  him,  from  time  to  time, 
several  orders  to  execute,  which  he  did  in  a  very  prompt  and  gallant 
manner.  I  see  that  he  is  reported  a  prisoner  in  New  Orleans.  This 
is  a  mystery  to  me.  Many  acts  of  individual  heroism  came  under  my 
eye,  and  I  shall  ever  feel  proud  that  I  had  the  honor  to  command  the 
second  brigade  in  the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge.  Among  all  the  officers 
and  men  who  distinguished  themselves  in  that  battle,  I  shall  mention 
only  one  by  name,  that  is  private  Cedars,  of  the  West  Feliciana  Rifles, 
fourth  regiment  Louisiana.  He  took  the  colors  from  me  as  I  fell,  and 
at  the  same  moment  received  a  terrible  wound  in  the  thigh. 
With  respect,  lam,  truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.    W.  ALLEN, 
Colonel  Commanding  Second  Brigade,  Second  Division. 


REPORT    OF    COLONEL    G.    A.    BREAUX,    COMMANDING 
SECOND  BRIGADE. 

Headquarters  Second  Brigade,      ) 
Camp  near  Comite  River,  August  8,  1862.  S 

Lieutenant  L.  D.  Sandidge, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General: 

Sir  :  Colonel  II.  W.  Allen,  commander  of  the  second  brigade,  second 
division,  having  fallen  towards  the  close  of  the  action  of  the  5tli  May, 
186^,  it  becomes  my  duty,  as  next  in  command,  to  make  the  report, 
as  far  as  my  knowledge  enables  me  to  do  so.  My  attention  was  exclu- 
sively directed  to  tha  action  of  the  thirtieth  Louisiana  regiment,  which 
I  commanded,  until  the  fall  of  the  colonel  commanding. 

At  4  1-2  o'clock,  A.  M.,  our  line  was  formed  on  the  extreme  left  of 
the  forces,  in  a  point  of  woods,  adjoining  open  and  cultivated  fields. 
The  ground  was  broken.  We  advanced  in  conjunction  with  the  entire 
line.  As  we  were  about  passing  out  of  a  little  field,  we  met  the 
enemy,  who  at  once  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon  us,  which  we  returned 


150 

with  good  effect,  since,  in  a  few  minutes,  they  fled  before  us.  We 
were  or(i:«-ed  "forward."  As  the  extreme  right  of  the  brifade  was 
advancing  on  a  line  parallel  to  a  fence,  behind  which  sharpshoters  lay 
in  ambush,  harassing  our  flank,  the  thirtieth  Louisiana  was  constantly 
called  on  to  dislodge  them,  which  it  did  by  occasional  fires  We  soon 
discovered  that  the  enemy  were  in  considerable  force  behind  a  fence, 
awaiting  our  approach,  at  a  point  from  which  they  fired  on  our  line 
at  an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degress.  We  faced  the  thirtieth  regi- 
ment to  them,  and  soon  silenced  them  by  a  well  kept  up  and  directed 
fire.  Meanwhile,  the  fourth  regiment  and  Boyd's  battalion  advanced, 
driving,  also,  all  obstacles  before  them.  It  became  apparent  that  the 
exact  location  of  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  planted  in  our  front,  was 
not  known,  the  fog  was  too  thick  to  enable  us  to  see  well.  We,  how- 
ever, advanced,  having  changed  the  direction  of  the  line  to  the  left. 
The  fire  of  the  enemy  soon  revealed  its  exact  position,  and  to  the 
charge,  was  sounded.  The  entire  brigade  advanced  at  a  double-quick, 
and  in  good  order,  notwithstanding  the  galling  fire  poured  into  our 
lines.  Th  gallant  Colonel  Allen,  whose  bravery  cannot  be  too  much 
extolled,  flew  at  the  head  of  the  men,  flag  in  hand,  on  to  the  battery 
and  was  soon  in  possession  of  its  guns,  surrounded  by  his  men,  while 
the  right  drove  the  infantry  away  by  a  destructive  fire.  Unfortu- 
nately, Colonel  Allen  was  wounded,  and  the  shock  was  terrible  among 
the  men  of  the  fourth  regiment,  whose  confidence  seemed  to  repose 
mainly  on  him,  and  they  withdrew  in  disorder,  bearing  away  their 
■wounded  chief.  At  a  short  distance,  I  rallied  them  partially  on  the 
line  formed  by  the  regiment,  on  the  right  of  the  brigade,  but  to  no 
good,  since  enough  could  not  be  gathered  to  push  on  our  advantage. 
Sometime  previous  to  this  charge,  as  I  infer  from  not  seeing  him  in  it, 
Colonel  S.  Boyd  had  been  wounded  and  removed  from  the  field.  His 
battalion,  stripped  of  his  influence,  did  not  rally  after  the  first  charge 
on  the  battery.  Previous  to  this,  the  troops  had  all  behaved  with 
great  gallantry.  It  now  became  evident  that  fatigue  and  thirst  were 
overpowering  our  men  ;  they  could  scarcely  answer  the  appeals  made 
to  them  by  courageous  men,  to  whose  names  justice  will  be  done  by 
those  who  witnessed  their  conduct  throughout,  and  which  I  cannot 
give,  as  I  only  saw  them  there  for  the  first  time.  At  this  time,  a 
second  Federal  battery  entered  the  field,  and  was  opportunely  met  by 
a  section  of  Captain  Semmes'  Confederate  States  battery.  It  aff'ords 
me  pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  the  cool  and  eff"ectivc  response  Tuado 
by  Captain  Semmes  and  Lieutenant  AVest,  whom  the  fourth  and  thir- 
iieth  Louisiana  regiments  fell  back  to  support  in  this  encounter.  After 
a  brief  and  quick  fire  of  the  opposing  batteries,  it  Avas  found  necessary 
to  withdraw,  and  the  infantry  left  with  it.  From  this  time,  there  was 
no  mor3  fighting  on  the  left.  Coming  into  command  of  the  brigade  at 
the  close  of  the  battle,  and  after  it  became  disorganized,  I  am  unable 
'to  give  any  particulars  beyond  those  which  refer  to  my  regiment.  I 
cannot  close,  however,  without  bearing  witness  to  the  bravery  and 
gallantry  of  Colonel  Allen,  so  conspicuous  to  us  all. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  A.  BREAUX, 
Colonel,  Commanding  Second  Brigade. 


151 

Headquarters  Thirtieth  La.  Sumter  Regisient,  ^ 
In  camp  near  Oomite  River.      S 

Lieutenant  L.  D.  Sa>didge, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General: 

Sir  :  For  the  action  of  my  Tegiment  in  general,  during  the  battle  of 
the  5th  August,  at  Baton  Rouge,  I  beg  to  refer  you  to  the  report, 
circumstances  have  compelled  me  to  make  in  the  stead  of  Colonel 
Allen.  For  troops  who  had  never  been  under  fire  before,  the  thirtieth 
Louisiana  acted  with  great  bravery  and  gallantry.  Conspicuous 
among  the  officers  who  distinguished  themselves,  I  take  pleasure  in 
mentioning  Captain  Tropagnier  who  lost  his  life  in  all  probability,  and 
Lieutenant  Duprcmont,  of  Picket  Cadets,  who  was  also  wounded.  I 
have  the  satisfaction  of  stating  that  men  and  officers  were  zealous  in 
their  eiforts  to  beat  off  a  superior  force.  The  regiment,  throughout, 
rallied  ^nd  presented  a  good  line  whenever  called  on.  After  the  partial 
disorganization  of  the  brigade,  which  the  loss  of  its  commander  tem 
porarily  produced,  and  when  it  became  evident  that  the  left  must  fall 
back,  this  regiment  did  so  in  an  orderly  manner  and  under  orders. 
Very  respectfully, 

G.  A.  BREAUX, 
Colonel,  Commanding  Thirtldh  Louisiana. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  M.  H.  COFER. 

Headquarters  6t!1  Kentucky  Reg't  VoluiVteeus   ^ 
Coraite  River,  August  7th,  1863.      S 
To  G.  C.   Hubbard,  First  Lieutenant  and  A.  A.  A.  General : 

Sir  :  Pursuant  to  circular  order,  just  received,  I  have  the  honor  to 
submit  the  following  report  of  the  part  taken  by  the  sixth  regiment 
Kentucky  volunteers  in  the  battle  of  the  5th  instant,  and  the  orders 
received  from  the  commanding  generals.  This  regiment  occupied  the 
extreme  left  of  the  first  brigade,  second  division.  Colonel  A.  P.  Thomp- 
son commanding.  At  a  little  before  daylight  the  troops  were  drawn 
up  in  line,  this  regiment  in  the  open  field,  the  left  resting  about  two 
hundred  yards  to  the  right  of  a  dense  forest,  in  which  Colonel  Allen's 
brigade  was  formed.  At  daylight  the  command,  ''  forward,"  was  given 
by  General  Ruggles,  and  we  moved  forward  a  short  distance  and  halted 
by  the  order  of  iho  same  officer,  who  was  present  in  person.  We 
were  very  soon  ordered  forward  again,  when  we  moved,  encountering 
rough  ground,  hedges,  fences,  ditches,  and  a  luxuriant  growth  of 
weeds  and  grass,  altogether  rendering  even  tolerable  alignment  ^and 
steady  marching  impossible.  Passing  on  over  this  character  of  ground 
for  nearly  one  mile,  the  enemy's  skirmishers  fired  on  us,  doing  no 
injury,  but  falling  back  as  we  advanced,  until  we  arrived  immediately 
in  front  of  the  enemy's  camp.  Here  he  engaged  us  warmly  from  a 
strong  position  in  a  heavy  forest,  but  charging  forward  we  drove  him 


152 

from  his  position,  and  ray  regiment  passed  nearly  through  the  camp> 
when  we  observed  a  battery  on  our  left,  say  one  hundred  yards,  and  a 
little  in  front.  This  battery  was  nearly  silenced  by  an  oblique  fire 
from  my  left  wing,  and  would  have  been  easily  taken  but  for  the  fact 
that  the  right  of  the  brigade  was  retiring.  Seeing  no  cause  for  the 
retreat  on  account  of  any  movement  or  fire  of  the  enemy,  my  regi- 
ment was  ordered  b.ick,  presuming  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  retire, 
which  I  since  learned  to  have  been  the  case.  This  retreat  enabled 
the  enemy  to  regain  his  battery,  which  he  did  promptly,  and  opened 
a  furious  fire  with  grape,  canister,  and  shrapnell,  on  our  flank.  From 
the  nearness  of  the  guns,  he  did  no  serious  damage.  Wc  continued 
to  move  to  the  rear  some  two  hundred  yards,  when  we  reformed  and 
returned  to  a  fence  in  front  of  a  grave  yard,  where  we  halted  and 
opened  lire  on  the  enemy  who  had  reformed  and  reoccupied  his  original 
position,  from  which  we  had  just  driven  him.  This  position  both  parties 
held  with  great  stubbornness,  and  an  almost  incessant  lire  ^Ya8  kept 
up  for  one  hour.  At  this  place  I  sustained  nearly  all  the  loss  of  the 
day.  My  position  was  very  much  exposed  during  this  time,  having 
no  shelter  but  a  thin  picket  fence,  and  being  on  ground  elevated  some 
eighteen  inches  above  any  ground  in  front  between  my  line  and  the 
enemy.  This  position  was  maintained  until  an  order  to  charge  was 
given,  and  the  enemy  driven  under  his  gunboats,  when  the  regiment 
returned  with  the  brigade  to  camp,  having  sustained  a  loss  of  five 
killed  and  seventy-three  wounded,  several  mortally.  I  cannot  allow 
this  opportunity  to  pass  without  returning  my  thanks  to  the  ofiicers 
and  men  of  the  regiment  for  the  gallant  manner  in  which  they  bore 
themselves  durinnj  the  whole  eno;a2;ement.  Fr  )m  a  want  of  commis- 
sioned  officers,  I  caused  the  eight,  companies  of  the  regiment  to  be 
consolidated  into  four  companies,  placed  respectively  under  Captains 
Isaac  Smith,  Utterback,  and  Thomas  G.  Page,  and  First  Lieutenant 
Frank  Ilarned.  It  is  proper  for  me  to  say  that  I  was  not  in  the  last 
charge,  having  been  carried  off  the  field  too  much  exhausted  and  over- 
come to  be  able  to  go  forward. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  ob't  serv't,  - 

M.   IT.   COFER, 
Colonel  commmxdvng  sixth  Ky.  Beg't. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  CROSSLAND. 

llt.VOQU.'VRTERS    SeVLNTII    KkNTUCKY    ReGIMENT, 

August  7th,  1862. 

Lieut.  G.  C.  Hubbard,  A.  A.  yi.  General  : 

Lieutenant  :  In  obedience  to  an  order  from  your  officer,  I  return 
the  following  statements  of  the  action  of  my  regiment  in  the  battle  at 
Baton  Rouge,  on  the  5th.  The  brigade  was  formed  in  an  open  field, 
and  ordered  to  "march  forward."     My  regiment  crossed  a  lawn  into  a 


153 

field,  and  received  a  fire  from  tlie  enemy's  skirmishers,  when  we  were 
ordered  to  charge.  The  skirmishers  were  routed  and  the  regiment 
halted  in  a  pea  patch  and  ordered  to  lie  down.  Here  we  received  a 
heavy  fire,  wounding  three  men.  We  were  again  ordered  to  forward 
and  to  charge,  Avhich  order  was  executed  in  gallant  style.  Passing 
over  the  ground  occupied  by  the  enemy,  we  saw  the  bodies  of  two 
dead  and  three  wounded.  Another  charge  brought  us  into  a  road 
near  the  enemy's  camp,  through  which  we  charged,  and  were  halted 
and  ordered  to  fall  back  by  Capt.  Buckner,  of  General  Breckinridge's 
stafi",  who  received  the  order  from  General  Clark,  which  would  have 
been  done  in  order,  but  for  a  regiment  in  advance  of  our  right,  which 
broke  in  wild  confusion  throu.s;h  my  regiment,  which  caught  the  panic 
and  retired  disorderly  for  a  short  distance.  Aided,  however,  by  the 
coolness  of  my  company  officers  and  adjutant,  I  succeeded  promptly 
in  rallying  and  reforming  them  in  front  of  the  road.  Colonel  Thomp- 
son ordered  me  to  fall  back  to  the  road,  where  we  opened  fire  on  the 
enemy,  then  advancing  from  their  camps,  and  kept  it  up  briskly  for 
an  hour.  The  enemy  advanced  cautiously  from  their  camp,  under 
cover  of  a  grove  of  timber,  with  the  evident  intention  of  turning  our 
left  flank.  I  saw  two  lines  of  infantry,  with  cavalry  in  rear.  They 
charged,  and  the  thirty-fifth  Alabama  regiment  opened  and  kept  up  a 
hot  fire  from  our  left,  which  broke  the  enemy's  lines,  and  they  retired 
in  confusion.  Our  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted,  the  wagons  not 
having  come  up.  Gen.  Breckinridge  came  nip  on  our  right,  and  I  re- 
ported the  want  of  ammunition  to  him,  and  he  ordered  me  to  charge 
the  camp  with  my  regiment  and  the  third  Kentucky.  Wo  Avent 
through  the  camp  and  were  halted  by  Capt.  Buckner,  and  ordered  to 
retire,  which  was  done  in  good  order.  Captain  Buckner,  by  order  of 
General  Breckinridge,  ordered  my  regiment  to  remain  and  support  a 
section  of  Semmes'  battery,  which  was  posted  and  remained  to  protect 
those  engaged  in  recovery  of  the  wounded  and  retreat  of  the  strag- 
gler.-?. Captain  Wess  Jetton,  with  five  men,  was  sent  back  to  fire  the 
camps.  A  cloud  of  smoke  soon  told  that  his  mission  of  destruction 
had  been  faithfully  executed.  He  reports  the  burning  of  large  quan- 
tities commissary  stores  and  quartermaster  stores,  together  with 
numerous  boxes  of  guns  and  valuable  camp  equippage.  With  a  single 
exception,  the  officers  bore  themselves  gallantly,  and  too  much  cannot 
be  said  in  praise  of  the  conduct  of  the  men.  Our  infirmary  corps 
kept  close  at  our  heels  and  promptly  removed  and  took  care  of  the 
wounded. 

I  beg  to  mention  the  gallant  conduct  of  Joseph  Rollins,  our  color- 

**  EDWARD  CROSSLAND, 

Col.  ConCdg  seventh  Kentucky  regiment. 


154 
REPORT  OF  LIEUT.  COL.  S.  E.  HUNTER. 

Camt  near  CoMiTE,  Aug.  7th,  1862. 

Col.  J.  A.  Brf.aux  : 

Sir  :    At  nine  o'clock,  V.  M.,  of  the  Uh  instant,  pursuant  to  orders, 
I  marched  the  fourth  Louisiana  regiment,  left  in  front,  from  this  place 
in  the  direction  of  Baton  Ilouge.     Just  before  daylight,  I  was  ordered 
to  halt  in  an  open  field.     Only  a   few    minutes   elapsed  befcre  firing 
began    between    our   pickets    and    those   of    the    enemy.      We    were 
then  ordered  to  fall  back    behind  a  hedge,  where  we  remained  a  very 
short  while,  when  we   recrossed  the  hedge,    and  marched  by  the  left 
flank  through  a  narrow   strip  of  wood  to  a  field,   enclosed   by  a  thick 
and  impassable  hedge  fence.     Here  we  formed  our  line  of  battle,  and 
were  joined  by  the  remainder  of  the  brigade.     The  word   "forward" 
was  given,  and  all  moved  off  in  gallant  style.      We  had  not  proceeded 
far  when  we   received   a  desultory  fire   from   the   enemy,   which  was 
promptly  and  effectively  returned,   causing  the  enemy  to  retire.     The 
advance  continued,  with  occasional   firing,   until   we  reached  an  open 
field  on  our  left.     Here  the  enemy  was  discovered  in  considerable 
force  in  front  and  to  the  left.     We   were   marched   by   the   left   flank 
until  our  brigade  had  nearly   cleared  the   woods  when  we   filed  to  the 
left.     The  fourth  Louisiana  had  thus  filed  expecting  to  meet  the  enemy 
at  right  angles  to  our  original  line,  when  a  battery  opened   on  us  to 
our  right,  and  in  front  of  the  original  line.      The  order  was  given  to 
charge  this  battery,    which   was  done   in  gallant   style,  the   brigade 
being  in  a  sort  of  wedge   shape,  gradually   assuming  a  line  as  it  ap- 
proached the  battery.      A  heavy  and  galling  fire  was  kept  up  on  us  by 
the  enemy  who  were  concealed  in  the  rear  of  the  battery.     "When 
within  a  few  paces  of  the  guns  of  the  enemy,  Colonel  Allen,  who  was 
in  front,   bearing  the  colors  of  one  battalion  of  the   brigade,  was  se- 
verelv  wounded,    and   fell  from   his  horse.      Seeing   him   fall,  the  line 
faltered,  and   finally   gave  way,  the  troops   on  the   right  and  centre 
giving  way  first.     The  brigade  retired  in  confusion  across  the  field, 
through  which  it  had  so  gallantly  advanced.     Here,  after  some  little 
delay,  my  regiment  was  reformed  and  remained  so  for  some  time.     No 
order  to  advance  was  given.     A  section  of  Semmes'  battery  came  up 
and  prepared  for  action  on  our  right,  and  the  left  c  f  the  brigade.    We 
were  ordered  to  form  in  its  rear  to  support  it.     After  great  exertion 
a  line  was  partially  formed,  but  at  this  point  the  enemy's  artillery 
opened  on  us  at  short  range.     The   right   again   gave  way,   followed 
rapidly  by  the  whole  line.    The  troops,  exhausted  by  fatigue  and  crying 
for  water,  were  thrown  into  utter  confusion,  and  all  attempts  to  rally 
them  were  fruitless.     From  this  time  no   more  fighting  was  done  by 
our  brigade. 

I  would  not  close  this  report  without  mentioning  among  the  names 
of  those  among  my  oflBcers  who  were  conspicuous  for  gallantry  on  the 
field,  Lieut.  Corkern,  who  was  in  command  of  company  B  ;  Lieut. 
Jeter,  company  F  ;   Sergeant-Major  Daniels,  and  Adjutant  Clark.     I 


155 


hear  of  others  who  distinguished  themselves,  hut  only  these  came 
under  my  special  observation. 
Respectfully  submitted, 
. .  •  S.  E.  HUNTER, 

Lieut.  Colonel  Commanding  fourth  Louisiana. 


REPORT  OF    LIEUTENANT   COLONEL  TOM  SHIELDS. 

In  the  Fifld,  August  7,  1862. 
Lieutenant  L.  D.  Sandidge,  C.  S.  A.  A.  A.  A.  and  Inspector  General: 

Sir  :  For  the  information  of  Brigadier  General  Rugbies,  com- 
manding  second  division,  I  beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report  of 
the  operations  of  the  detachment  under  my  command,  in  the  battle  of 
Baton  Rouge : 

In  obedience  to  orders,  I  proceeded,  with  a  section  Semmes'  Con- 
federate States  artillery,  under  command  of'T,  K.  Faiintleroy,  two 
companies  of  ii.fantr}^  (company  E.,  Sumter  thirtieth  Louisiana 
regiment.  Captain  Roger  T.  Boyle,  and  Beaver  Creek  Rifles,  Captain 
Amncker)  and  one  company  of  mounted  partisan  rangers,  Captain 
Beckham,  the  whole  numbering  about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  rank 
and  file,  at  about  four  and  a  half  P.  M.,  the  fourth  inst.,  to  take  posi- 
tion on  the  Clinton  plank  road,  there  to  engage  the  enemy,  supposed 
to  be  posted,  with  a  battery  of  artillery,  at  the  junction  of  that  and 
the  Bayou  Sara  road.  After  a  fatiguing  nights'  march,  we  reached 
that  desired  point  just  at  dawn  of  day,  of  oth  inst.,  prepared  to  exe- 
cute orders  at  the  given  signal — the  firing  of  small  arms  by  the  main 
body  on  my  left.  Exactly  at  four  and  a  half,  A.  M.,  the  sound  of 
musketry  being  distinctly  audible,  I  ordered  the  advance,  at  double- 
quick,  of  the  entire  command;  having  previously  dismounted  the 
rangers,  with  a  view  to  greater  efiiciency.  The  enemy's  pickets  fled 
precipitately  at  our  approach,  leaving  accoutrements  and  equipments 
hanging  to  the  posts  and  walls  of  the  house  where  they  were  stationed, 
and  on  the  trees  immediately  around  it,  and  sought  shelter  in  the 
woods  to  the  right  of  the  Bayou  Sara  road;  gaining  which,  they  fired 
one  feeble  volley,  but  immediately  retreated  i.  confusion  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  arsenal.  The  infantry  was  now  posted  in  a  corn  field  on 
the  right  of  a  street  leading  to  a  Federal  camp,  with  instructions  to 
advance  closely  in  support  of  the  artillery,  which  was  placed  at  the 
same  time  in  raking  position  at  the  head  of  the  same  street.  The 
enemy  here  appeared  in  force  ;  two  regiments  of  infantry  disputing 
our  further  advance.  The  artillery  opening  obliquely  on  the  camp, 
enabled  us,  by  its  well  directed  fire,  to  advance  within  two  hundred 
and  fifty  feet  of  the  camps  of  the  fourteenth  Maine  regiment,  (  judged 
to  be  so  by  papers,  etc.,  found  subsequently  in  the  tents ;)  again  open- 
ing a  rapid  tire  of  artillery  in  the  direction  of  this  camp,  we  main- 
tained our  position  until  the  infantry,  suffering  before  the  overwhelm- 


lo6 

ing  numbers  of  the  enemy,  we  were  compelled  to  fall  back,  and  some 
four  horses  of  the  section  becoming  unmanageable  and  unserviceable 
from  wounds  received,  I  consented  to  the  withdrawal  of  the  section 
to  the  junction  of  the  roads  above  mentioned,  there  to  await  rein- 
iorcements  from  the  main  body,  then  seen  to  be  advancing  in  our 
direction.  In  this  new  position  we  were  unfortunately  taken  for  the 
enemy,  and  fired  upon,  but  luckily  without  casualty  of  any  kind. 
Disengaging  the  disabled  horses,  and  supplying  their*  places  Avith 
others,  the  section  was  again  placed  in  position,  where  it  was  kept 
until  the  termination  of  the  engagement.  The  infantry  force  under 
my  command,  was  attached,  by  order,  to  the  tAventy-second  Missis- 
sippi regiment  on  the  arrival  of  that  regiment  in  the  field,  leaving 
me  with  the  artillery,  where  I  remained  until  releaved  by  one  of  the 
staflf  of  Major  General  Breckinaidge,  upon  the  withdrawal  of  the 
army.  I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  conduct  of  the  men  of  the 
command,  artilierj'  and  infantry,  and  beg  to  commend  to  favorable 
notice,  the  officers  of  company  E.,  Sumter  regiment,  (thirtieth  Lou- 
isiana) Captain  Boyle,  Lieutenant  H.  C.  VVright,  D.  C.  Byerly  and 
William  B.  Chippendall,  for  gallant  behavior.  To  Lieutenant  T.  K. 
Fauntleroy,  commanding  section  of  artillery,  I  am  indebted  for  valua- 
ble services.  His  conduct  throughout  being  marked  with  coolness  and 
decision,  and  worthy  of  the  highest  praise.  His  artillery,  as  efficient 
as  it  was,  would  have  been  more  so  but  for  the  inferiority  of  the  fric- 
tion primers,  nine  out  of  ten  of  which  proving  worthless,  rendering 
the  working  of  the  pieces,  at  times,  difficult  and  unsatisfactory.  Of 
the  casualties,  I  have  to  mention  the  following  :  In  the  Beaver  Creek 
Rifles,  Lieutenant  Amicker,  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder;  Ser- 
geant Wilson,  wounded  in  the  hand,  slightly  ;  private  J.  L.  Ferryman, 
in  the  back,  dangerously.  In  Fanntleroy's  section  of  artillery.  Ser- 
geant Bellum,  severely  wounded,  and  four  horses  killed.  In  conclu- 
sion, I  have  to  state  that  my  object  was  to  obey  to  the  letter  instruc- 
tions received,  and  every  effort  was  made  on  my  part  to  that  end,  and 
but  for  the  inadequacy  of  my  force,  I  believe  more  important  results 
could  have  been  obtained.  I  hope  what  we  have  been  able  to  accom- 
plish may  meet  the  approval  of  the  general  commanding. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

TOM  SHIELDS, 
Lieut.  Col.  Sumpter,  thirtieth  Louisiana,  Regt.,  com'ng.  detachment. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  J.  11.  ROBERTSON. 

Headqauarters  TjiiRTy-FiFTH  Ala.  Vols*,  \ 

Camp  071  Comite  River,  La.,       \ 
August  8th,  1862.  ) 
Captain  L.  D.  Sandidge,  A.  A.  A.  General,  second  division  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  part  taken  in 
the  action  of  the  5th  instant,  by  the  thirty-fifth  regiment  of  Alabama 


157 

volunteers,  up  to  the  moment  I  was  relieved  of  the  command  of  the 
regiment  by  assuming  command  of  the  brigade.     Before  leaving   the 
Comite  river,  I  deemed  it  advisable  Jo  consolidate  certain  companies 
in  which  there  were  but  few  men,  and   in  two  instances   no   commis- 
sioned officer,  the  regiment  having  been   decimated  by   sickness,  and 
accordingly  divided  the  regiment,  only  one  hundred  and  eighty  five" 
strong,   rank   and  file,   into  four  companies,   placing  them  in   com- 
mand of  the  following  officers,  from  right  to  left,  in  the  order  named  : 
Captain  S.  S.  Ives,  Lieutenant  Thomas  E.  Ellett,  Captain  John   S. 
Dickson,  and  Lieutenant  S.  D.  Stewart.     The  regiment  thus  organ- 
ized, occupied  the  left  centre  of  the   brigade,  and  kept   this  position 
during  the  notion,  passing  immediately  to  the   front  of  the   line  first 
formed  on  the  common,  over  and  through  mnny  obstacles,  to  a  posi- 
tion near  the  river,  when  the  fight  ended.     The  regiment  never  having 
been  under  fire,  much  anxiety  was  felt,  by  both  myself  and  the  brigade 
commander,  as  to  the  probable  eiFcct  upon   the   men  of  a  close  fire  of 
musketry,     I  am  highly  gratified  to  sa^  that  never  once  did  the  regi- 
ment, men  or  officers,  falter ;  but  when  ordered  to  charge  did,  on  three 
occasions,  bear  themselves  most  gallantly,  and  once  obstinately  held, 
for  an  hour,  a  position  exposed  to  a  fire  from  overwhelming  number:;. 
On  reaching  the  first  encampment  of  the  enemy,  in  the  third  charge 
made  by  the  brigade,  this  regiment  passed  entirely  through  the  ca%p, 
driving  the  enemy  before  them,  when,  on  looking  to  right  and  rear,  I 
found  ray  command  was  not  supported,  but  the  right  wing  was  falling 
back  to  cover.     Receiving  no  order,  and  fearing  the   enemy   would 
attempt  to  flank  the  left  wing,  I  immediately  ordered  the  regiment  to 
retire,  being  followed  in  the  movement  by  the  fifth   Kentucky  on  the 
left,  and  formed  line  of  battle  on  the  right  of  the  cemetery  in  which 
the  sixth  Kenticky  was  formed.     The  regiments  were  immediately 
moved  forward,  and   checked  the  advancing  enemy  by  heavy  firing. 
Being  called  to  command  the  brigade,  I,  at  this  time,  turned  over  the 
regiment  to   Lieutenant    Colonel    Goodwin,  who  reports   its  further 
action.     I  desire  to  say  that  I  am  greatly  indebted  to  Lieutenant  Col- 
onel E.  Goodwin,  my  only  associate  field  officer,  for  the  coolness  and 
gallantry  displayed  by  him  during  the  action.     The  officers  command- 
ing the  companies  were  conspicuous  for  coolness  and  courage      Dr, 
J.  F,  Delany,  a  private  of  company  D,  was  detailed  to  act  as  assistant 
surgeon,  during  the  action,  and  deserves  particular  mention,  he  being 
up  with  the  regiment  at  all  times,  caring  for  the  wounded  and  encour- 
aging the  men.     I  respectfully   ask   that  Dr,  Delany   be   discharged, 
that  I  may  contract  with  him  as  assistant  surgeon. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  IL*  ROBERTSON, 
Colonel  Thirty -ffth  Regiment  Alabama  Volunteers. 


158 

Headquarters  1st  Brigade,      ) 
August  8tb,  1862.  J 

To  Captain  L.  D.  Sandidge,  A.  A.  A.  General,  second  divis^ion  : 

Captain  :  Colonel  Robertson  desires  me  to  say  that  he  wishes  to 
amend  his  brigade  report  by  stating  that  Major  John  Throckmorton, 
A.  Q.  M.,  rendered  very  efficient  service  in  taking  off  the  wounded 
from  the  field,  sho>ving  great  fearlessness  of  personal  danger  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duties. 

G.  C.  HUBBARD, 

A.  A.  A.  General. 


REPORT  OF   LIEUT.    COL.    GOODWIN. 

Headquarters  Thirtv-fifth  Reg't.  Ala.  Vols.,  > 
Camp  on  Comite  River,  Aug.  7th,  1862.      S 

Lieutenant  Geo.  C   Hubbard, 

A.  Ji.  A.  G.,  First  Regiment  Second  Division  ; 

Lieutenant:  Colonel  J.  W.  Robertson,  who  had  so  gallantly  led 
on  the  thirty-fifth  Alabama  in  two  sepcrate  charge.'*,  having  been 
called  to  the  command  of  the  brigade,  Col.  A.  P.  Thompson,  having 
been  seriously  wounded  while  cheeiing  on  his  men,  the  command  of  the 
thirty-fifth  Alabama  was  handed  over  to  me. 

I  held  the  po.sition  which  we  were  ordered  to  maintain,  by  Col.  J. 
W.  Roberston,  in  front  of  the  enemy's  encampments,  for  more  than 
an  hour,  all  the  while  under  the  mo:5t  galling  fire  of  the  enemy.  I 
learned  that  the  enemy,  both  infuntry  and  cavalry,  were  drawn  up  in 
line  of  battle  on  my  left,  as  if  preparing  to  charge  over  line  on  the 
right.  I,  therefore,  directed  my  command  to  fire  upon  them,  when, 
after  three  well  directed  volleys,  the  enemy  fled  precipitately.  A  charge 
was  immediately  ordere«l  by  Major  General  Breckinridge.  We 
promptly  replied  to  the  command,  driving  the  enemy  from  their  en- 
campments, under  cover  of  their  gunboats,  when  the  order  was  given 
to  fall  back  for  ammunition. 

I  desire  especially  to  call  attention  to  tlie  zeal  and  daring  of  the 
men,  both  officers  and  privates,  under  my  command — the  last  charge 
having  been  made  without  a  round  of  cartridges  on  hand. 
,  Very  respectfully, 

EDWAliD  GOODWIN, 
Lieut.  Col.  commanding  Soth  li  giment  Ala.  Volunteers. 


•  159 

REPORT  OF  CAPT.  J.  H.  BOWMAN. 

Headquarters  3d  Kentucky  Regiment,  ) 
August  7th,  1862.  > 

George.  C.  Hubbard, 

Lieutenant  and  A.  A.  A.  General  : 

Liutenant  :  In  obedience  to  an  order  from  your  office,  I  return  the 
following  statement  of  the  action  of  the  third  Kentucky  regiment  in 
the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge,  on  the  5th  : 

The  brigade  was  formed  in  an  open  field,  the  third  Kentucky  regi- 
ment on  the  right  flank,  and  ordered  to  march,  forward.  The  third 
crossed  a  lawn  into  a  field,  received  a  fire  from  the  enemy's  skirmish- 
ers, when  we  were  ordered  to  charge.  The  skirmishers  were  routed, 
and  the  regiment  halted  in  a  "pea  patch,"  and  ordered  to  lie  down 
here.  We  received  a  heavy  fire,  killing  one  man  and  wounding  five 
men.  We  were  again  ordered  forward  and  to  charge,  which  order 
was  executed  in  gallant  style.  Passing  over  the  ground  occupied  by 
the  enemy,  we  saw  the  bodies  of  a  few  dead  of  our  enemy.  Another 
charge  brought  us  into  a  road  near  the  enemy's  camp,  through  which 
we  charged  and  halted,  and  remained  for  some  time ;  and  seeing  that 
our  line,  to  the  left,  was  not  up  on  line  with  us,  I  placed  Captain  Ed- 
ward in  command  temporarily,  until  I  went  to  the  rear  to  see  where 
to  form  the  line,  with  instructions  to  remain  in  position  until  I  could 
return.  After  obtaining  the  necessary  information,  I  started  on  my 
return,  with  the  regiment  falling  back  in  good  order.  When  I  de- 
manded to  know  why  the  regiment  was  doing  so,  I  was  informed  it 
was  by  order  of  Brigadier  General  Clark.  I  then  resumed  command 
and  formed  on  line  with  the  brigade  Soon  Colonel  Thompson  ordered 
me  to  fnll  back  to  a  cut  in  the  road,  which  order  was  promptly  execu- 
ted. We  remained  in  this  position  for  nearly  one  hour,  firing  nearly 
thirty  rounds  of  ammunition  at  the  enemy,  at  times  they  being  in  short 
range  of  our  rifles.  The  regiment  was  then  ordered  to  charge  for- 
ward, by  Colonel  Crossland,  which  order  was  promptly  executed,  and 
again  we  passed  through  their  encampment,  and  were  ordered 
to  fall  back,  which  order  was  executed  without  any  confusion  or  ex- 
citement. Without  a  single  exception,  the  oflicers  of  the  regiment 
bore  themselves  gallantly,  and  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of 
the  conduct  of  the  men.  Our  infirmary  corps  kept  close  on  our  heels, 
and  promptly  removed  aud  took  care  of  our  wounded. 

J.  H.  BOWxMAN. 
Capf.  Com.  Third  Kentucky  Regiment. 


160  • 

REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  TOM  BYNUM. 

Headquarters  Battalion  of  Infantry  ^ 

OF  Stewat's  Legion,      n 

Comite  Bridge,  August  8,  1862.  ) 

Captain  Morrison, 

A.  A.  A.  G.,  Second  Brigade  : 

Sir:  I  herewith  submit  the  report  of  the  participation  of  this  bat- 
talion, under  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sam  Loyd,  in  the  action 
of  the  5th  inst.  Its  force  consisted  of  the  following:  one  field,  three 
staff  and  nine  co:--pany  officers,  and  one  hundred  and  ninety  enlisted 
men.  They  composed  the  centre  of  Colonel  Allen's  brigade,  the  thir- 
tieth Louisiana  regiment.  Colonel  Breaux,  on  the  right,  and  the  fourth 
Louisiana  regiment.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hunter,  on  the  left.  The 
line  of  battle  was  formed  in  the  woods  back  and  leftward  of  the  resi- 
dence of  Captain  E.  W.  Robinson,  and  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile 
to  the  rear  of  the  central  portion  of  Baton  Rouge.  As  soon  as  the 
line  was  formed,  it  was  put  in  forward  motion,  feeling  its  way  slowly 
through  tall  weeds,  in  the  morning's  haze,  for  the  enemy's  first  line  of 
force.  Marching  straight  to  the  front  through  briers,  hedges,  and 
over  picket  fences,  the  brigade  was  halted  in  the  face  of  a  line  of  the 
foe  drawn  up  to  receive  us,  and  after  giving  them  two  well  directed 
volleys,  charged  upon  them,  when  they  fled.  The  brigade  having 
paused  a  few  moments,  resumed  its  line  as  well  as  the  nature  of  the 
undergrowth  would  permit,  and  marched  some  two  or  three  hundred 
yards  forward  in  a  left  oblique  direction.  Receiving:  reports  of  a  bat- 
tery of  the  enemy  supported  by  a  regiment  right  on  our  front,  about 
a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  distant,  our  commander,  after  calling  for 
three  cheers  for  the  Confederacy,  ordered  us  to  charge.  Alarmed*  at 
our  shouts  and  dash,  the  enemy  broke,  taking  off  their  battery,  but 
leaving  heaps  of  slain  and  wounded.  It  was  here  that  Cuptain  Chinn 
fell,  from  a  wound  in  the  leg,  while  gallantly  responding,  at  th->  head 
of  his  company,  to  Colonel  Allen's  orders.  Resuming  our  course,  we 
soon  found  ourselves  upon  the  edge  of  an  old  field,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  which  is  the  Benton  Ferry  road,  and  the  enclosure  of  the  race 
track  Square  in  our  front  was  posted,  along  the  roadside,  a  number 
of  the  enemy's  skirmishers  or  sharpshooters,  and  to  their  left  a  bat- 
tery was  planted  at  the  mouth  of  a  street  in  front  of  the  outskirts  of 
the  corporation  of  Baton  Rouge.  A  regiment  (the  sixth  Michigan) 
supported  the  battery,  and  its  men  were  placed  behind  the  fences  and 
houses  in  the  neighborhood  of  ITockney's.  Colonel  Allen,  taking  the 
colors  of  this  command  in  his  hand,  rapidly  drew  up  his  command  in 
line,  which,  at  his  call  and  example,  rushed,  umler  a  galling  fire  of 
grape,  cannister  and  Minnie,  across  the  field.  There  was  not  a  shrub, 
even  as  a  screen,  upon  it,  and  over  the  three  hundred  yards  of  that 
open  space  the  foe  sent  many  a  missile  of  death  and  shaft  of  anguish 
within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  cannon. 

Lieutenant  Causey,  of  Buffington's  company,  and  commanding  it, 


161 

fell,  shot  through  the  brain.  No  victim  in  this  great  struggle  against 
fanaticism  and  the  principles  of  rapine  and  spoliation,  leaves  to  his 
family  and  friends  a  brighter  memory  for  chivalrous  courage  and 
unsullied  patriotism.  A  few  yards  further  on  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Boyd  fell,  shot  through  the  arm,  and  was  borne  off  the  field.  In  » 
moment  or  so  after  the  enemy  leaving  two  cannon  and  a  lieutenant, 
and  eight  or  ten  privates  prisoners  in  our  hands.  In  passing  beyond 
the  fence  enclosing  Turner's  house,  and  getting  partially  into  the 
street,  the  gallant  leader  fell,  helpless,  from  his  horse  into  the  arms  of 
his  trusty  soldiers,  and  was  by  them  carri«d  from  the  field.  Ilis  fall 
was  peculiarly  unfortunate.  It  completely  paralyzed  his  old  regiment 
(the  fourth,  at  whose  head  he  was)  even  in  that  moment  of  victory. 
Notwithstanding  his  repeated  shouts  to  go  forward,  it  became  confused 
and  huddled  up,  lost  in  a  maze  of  stolidity  an<3  dismay.  At  this  criti- 
cal moment,  the  undersigned  first  became  apprized,  by  Colonel  Breux, 
now  commanding  the  brigade,  that  it  was  his  duty  to  assume  command 
of  this  battalion  With  serious  misgivings  in  his  capacity  in  this 
emergency,  and  sorrow  felt  at  the  necessity,  he  arrived  to  do  his  best 
in  seconding  the  gallant  fearlessness  and  conspicuous  example  of  the 
commanding  oflScer,  to  save  his  troops  from  a  panic  and  to  rally  them 
into  line.  His  efforts  were  supported  by  the  daring  courage  of  Lieu- 
tenant Barrow,  commanding  Captain  Chinn's  company,  by  the  energy 
of  Lieutenant  Burnett,  Captain  Bynum's  company,  and  by  the  cool 
and  noble  example  oi  Lieutenant  Brown,  of  the  same  company.  A 
partial  success  only  rewarded  their  exertions.  We  were  saved  a  panic, 
but  the  annoying  fire  from  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  left  them  no 
other  alternative  but  to  fall  back  across  the  field  to  the  shelter  of  the 
woods.  Here  another  effort  was  made  to  rally  the  brigade  into  line, 
now  massed  confusedly.  The  commanding  officer  employed  every 
incentive  and  expedient  that  courage  could  suggest,  but  with  haggard 
results.  The  men  made  no  response  to  his  appeals.  They  were  not 
cowed  or  panic-stricken.  They  were  simply  exhausted,  hopelessly 
exhausted,  and  seemed  to  be  staggering  under  the  half  of  that  last 
ounce  which  breaks  the  camel's  back  of  endurance.  Having  been 
under  arms  for  more  than  sixteen  hours  ;  having  neither  supper, 
breakfast  or  sleep  ;  having  marched  over  twelve  miles,  and  having 
gone  through  four  hours  fighting,  is  it  a  matter  of  surprise  or  for 
blame  that  they  paid  but  little  heed  to  the  rallying  crios  of  their 
leaders?  Their  conduct  was,  however,  only  in  accordance  with  the 
example  of  troops  who  had  been  under  fire,  and  were  reported  vete- 
rans. Many  vicissitudes  of  this  battle  must  remain  unnoticed.  The 
undersigned  was  not  called  to  command  till  a  late  hour,  and  many 
events,  doubtless,  noted  by  the  experienced  eye  of  Colonel  Boyd,  must 
be  unchronicled  because  of  his  absence.  While  Colonel  Boyd  was  in 
command,  his  promptitude  and  courage  ably  sustained  the  policy  of 
Colonel  Allen.  His  adjutant.  Lieutenant  Breetlen,  was  conspicuous 
for  daring  devotion  to  duty  throughout  the  trials  of  the  day.  The 
men  generally  behaved  with  coolness  and  courage.  Upon  returning 
to  headquarters,  near  Ward's  Creek  Bridge,  the  undersigned  was 
relieved  of  his  command  by  Lieutenant  Barrow. 

11 


162 

Below  is  a  statement  of  the  day's  casualties  : 
,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sam  Boyce,  slightly  wounded  in  left  arm. 

CAPTAIN  TOM    BYNDM's    COMPANY. 

Kilkd. — Privates  T,  Josiah  Brown  and  Hunter  II.  Ilunstock. 

Seriously  Wounded. — Color-sergeant  B.  T.  Reames,  face,  shoulder 
and  thigh  ;  privates  William  Forbes,  belly ;  John  ludicert,  thigh  and 
knee,  in  hands  of  the  enemy  ;  William  Merchant,  right  shoulder ; 
M.  Spoerher,  right  shoulder. 

Slig/ifly  ]\\iundid. — Privates  William  Glass,  hand,  taken  prisoner; 
Rufus  Hopkins,  thigh;  Lewis  Marble,  reported  Avounded,  in  hands  of 
the  enemy;  J.  Mcintosh,  flesh  wound  in  hip;  T.  A.  Newson,  right 
arm;  H.  Stanmire,  ri^ht  side;  Theo.  Walters,  bayonet  wound  in 
leg;  J.  J.  Wallace,  shoulder  and  hand. 

Missing. — Privates  Patrick  Cullen,  William  Indicert,  William 
Smiley,  Otto  Stranbe  and  William  Wilson. 

CAPTAIN     BUFFINGTOn's    COMPANY. 

KilUd. — Second  Lieutenant  J.  R.  Consey. 

Seriously  Wounded. — Privates  John  Bennett,  M.  M.  Dixon,  A. 
Kirby  and  Henry  Turner. 

Slightly  Wounded. — Privates  J.  G.  Lathrop,  in  the  right  arm ;  John 
Beck,  flcfch  part  of  right  thigh,  and  prisoner  of  war;  Elliot  Beck,  in 
left  shoulder  ;  William  Banks,  not  known  how,  and  prisoner  of  war ; 
and  James  David,  in  the  shoulder. 

Missing. — Privates  James  Beck,  Julius  Le  Blane. 

CAPTAIN     CHINn's     COMPANY. 

Zt//€d.— John  Torpey  and  W.  F.  Haddick. 

Seriously  Wounded. — Privates  H.  Burnett,  in  arm  and  face  ;  James 
Johnston,  in  the  arm  ;  John  Taveran,  in  lower  part  of  face  ;  L.  J. 
Thompson,  in  the  leg  below  knee. 

Slightly  Wounded. — Captain  B.  R.  Chinn,  in   the    thigh;    Privates 
B.  Brady,  in  the  arm ;    James  Littleton,   in    the    hand;    and  A.    C. 
Howard,  in  the  arm. 
Missing. — Privates  A.  J.  Patterson,  William  Erwin,  James  Dimond. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

TOM  BYNUM, 
Captain  commanding  Battalion  Infantry,  Steward's  Legion. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  0.  T.  SEMMES. 

In  Camp,  near  Baton  Rouge,      ? 
Augusts,  1862.  3 

"^Sir:     I  was  ordered  to  take  part  in  the    action    of    the    5th   inst., 
^^hich  I  did.     My  men  behaved  well.     The  officers.  Lieutenants  J.  T. 


163 

M.  Barnes  and  J.  A.  West,  acted  with  great  coolness  and  bravery,  at 
times  firing  their  pieces  personally.  Lieutenant  T.  F.  Fauntleroy 
was  detached  with  a  section,  and  I  did  not  see  him  during  the  action. 
The  casualties  were  five  men  killed,  five  severely  wounded,  five 
slightly  wounded;  nine  horses  killed,  two  badly  wounded,  two  missing; 
one  caisson  exploded  by  an  enemy's  shell ;  the  rear  carriage  of 
another  rendered  worthless  and  left  on  the  field.  Four  sets  of  har- 
ness lost.  I  fired  two  hundred  rounds  of  smooth  bore  six  pounder 
ammunition,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  rounds  of  six  pounder 
rifled.  Dr.  Lewis,  A.  S.,  C.  S.  A.,  rendered  eflBcient  service  to  my 
wounded  on  the  field. 

I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

0.  T.  SEMMES, 
Capt.  com.  C.  S.  Light  Battery. 

At  four  and  a  half  o'clock  P.  M.,  of  the  5th  instant,  I  took  position 
between  Colonel  Allen's  and  Colonel  Thompson's  brigades,  filling  a 
vacancy  of  some  eighty  yards,  moved  forward  with  the  infantry  line 
half  a  mile,  opened  fire  on  an  enemy's  battery,  driving  them  'back, 
moved  to  the  right  of  the  second  division,  General  Ruggles  command- 
ing, when  I  opened  on  a  battery  with  efiect,  at  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty  yards,  then  occupied  my  first  position,  opening  on  a  column 
of  infantry,  doing  much  execution;  was  ordered  to  the  support  of 
Colonel  Allen's  Brigade.  I  took  position  on  its  right  and  silenced  a 
battery.  This  was  my  last  firing,  after  which  I  rejoined  the  main 
forces. 


1G4 

Report  of  killed,  wourded  and  missing  in  the  second  division,  com- 
manded by  Brigadier  Gt7ieral  D.  Ruggles,  in  the  Battle  of  Baton 
Rouge,  en  the  bth  instant. 


Killed, 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Missing. 

wounded    and 

luissing. 

Command- 

o 
O 

O 

m 

0) 

o 

<a 
o 

C 

S 

o 

o 

■0 

a 
'u 

o 

i 

bo 

\ 

11 

26 

13 
4 

65 
82 

P 
CO 

S2 
169 

flfi 

Scc'inil     •'        

G 

181 

3 

37 

17 

148 

6 

r>6 

2.SI 

277 

DANIEL  RUGGLES, 

Brigadier  General,  covimnnding  divinion. 

R.  M.  Hooii, 

.1.  A.  GcAcrul. 

Killed.         Wounded.     Missing. 

First  division, 

- 

- 

40                   141                 6 

Second  diviriou 

- 

- 

- 

44 

165 

72 

84 


Aggregate, 


306 
84 

78 

463 


78 


CASUALTIES  IN  FIRST  BRIGADE. 

Heaquartlrs  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  ^ 

Camj)  on  Comitc  River,  > 

August  nth,  1863.  ) 

To  Capt.  R.  M.  HooE,  A.  A.  General  second  division : 

Catt.ain  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  as  the  report  of 

killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  the  first  brigade,  in  the  battle  of  the 

5tL  instant  : 

Col  A.  r.  Thompson,  commanding  brigade,  wounded  in  neck. 
Captain  W.   P.    Wallace,    A.   A.   General,  wounded  by  fall  from 
horse. 

Lieutenant  Charles  Semple,  ordnance  oflficer,  wounded  in  leg. 

THIRD    KENTUCKY    REGIMENT. 


Adjutant  R.  B.  L.  Socry,  wounded  in  shoulder. 
Company  A. — J.  W.  Shepherd,  wounded  in  thigh  ;  M.  Winchester, 
missinii. 


165 

Company  B. — D.  C.  Scarborough,  killed. 

Company  C. — Lieut.  R.  S.  Pool  and  private  B.  F.  Rogers,'  both 
wounded  in  ankle. 

Company  D. — First  Sergeant  F.  W.  Thomas,  wounded  in  side ;  Cor- 
poral John  Leach,  killed  ;  privates  John  Duke  and  Julian  Watkins, 
wounded  in  leg. 

Company  E. — Private  J.  D.  Curd,  wounded  slightly. 

Company  G. — Sergeant  J.  M.  Morgan,  wounded  in  side,  slight ; 
Corporal  H.  M.  Wade,  wounded  in  both  sides. 

Company  H. — Private  M.  G.  Miller,«wounded  in  side;  private  A. 
J.  Ellis,  wounded  in  thigh. 

Company  M. — Private  J.  P.  McLaw,  wounded  in  shoulder ;  private 
J.  G.  Vaughan,  wounded  in  leg. 

SEVENTH    KENTUCKY    REGIMENT. 

Company  A. — Private  M.  J.  Rhodes,  missing ;  private  Henry 
Crutchfield,  wounded. 

Company  B. — Lieutenant  E.  Ashley,  killed  ;  privates  N.  M.  Malone 
and  J.  W.  Conder,  wounded. 

Company  C. — Private  W.  Brown,  wounded;  private  John  Heady, 
wounded. 

Company  D. — Private  A.  B.  Morris,  wounded. 

Company  E. — Sergeant  J.  K.  Hatchel,  wounded. 

Company  F. — Sergeant  J.  Helton,  wounded;  private  AV.  Morris, 
wounded. 

Company  H. — Corporal  J.  S.  Taylor,  wounded ;  private  G.  C.  Crider, 
wounded. 

Company  I. — Captain  D.  S.  Campbell,  severely  wounded. 

THIRTY-FIFTH    ALABAMA    REGIMENT. 

Company  A. — Captain  S.  S.  Joes,  wounded  in  shoulder;  Second 
Lieutenant  J.  M.  Clemmons,  wounded  in  side;  private  James  Price, 
wounded  severely  in  chest ;  private  Sullivan,  wounded  in  ankle  ;  pri- 
vate J.  T.  Robinson,  wounded  slightly  ;  private  George  N.  Rice, 
killed. 

Company  B. — Lieutenant  L.  D.  Stewart,  wounded  in  foot;  private 
T.  R.  Ellett,  wounded  in  ankle. 

Company  C. — Wm.  Parker,  killed. 

Company  E. — Corporal  W.  L.  iNLartin,  wounded  in  leg;  private 
James  Bibb,  wounded  severely  in  mouth ;  private  F.  0.  Johnson, 
wounded  severely  in  chest;  private  W.  Giles,  leg  broken  ;  private  G. 
P.  Frotinan,  wounded  slightly  ;  private  S.  L.  Ellidge,  wounded  se- 
verely in  both  ankles ;  Corporal  R.  H.  Wilson,  wounded  slightly  in 
hand. 

Company  F. — Private  J.  B.  Guthrie,  killed  ;  private  J.  M.  Pitts, 
wounded  in  hand ;  Corporal  J.  M.  Tipton,  missing. 

Company  G. — Private  George  S.  Toom,  slightly  wounded. 


166 

Company  H. — Private  T.  V.  Carlock,  killed  ;  John  Collier,  private 
wounded  in  arm  ;  private  West  Lemav,  wounded  slightly  ;  private 
William  Sledge,  wounded  slightly  in  arm. 

Company  I. — Private  Henry  Beard,  wounded  severely. 

SIXTH    KENTUCKY    REGIMENT. 

Company  ^. -^Private  W.  H.  Bluiss,  wounded  ;  private  S.  V. 
Sweasy,  wounded  ;  Lieut.  W.  W.  Knott.  W'  unded. 

Company  B. — Second  Sergeant  L.  L.  Duncan,  wounded ;  Third 
Sergeant  C.  J.  Hall,  wounded ;  private  M.  J.  Cifres,  wounded. 

Company  C. — Private  F.  D.  Nuckols,  killed. 

Company  D. — First  Sergeant  W.  B.  Gawin,  wounded  ;  Second  Ser- 
geant D.  W.  Neal,  wounded. 

Company  E. — Private  W.  II.  Franklin,  wounded  ;  private  W.  N. 
Crane,  wounded;   private  T.  W.  Spillman,  wounded. 

Company  G. — Private  R.  J.  Baugh,  killed  ;  privates  John  Colter 
and  P.  H.  Jones,  wounded.  Sergeant  J.  II.  Williams  and  Corporal  A. 
M.  Mininoway,  wounded. 

Company  J{ — Corporal  John  Clark  and  private  John  Smith,  killed  ; 
privates  J.  W.  Ross,  John  Viers  and  A.  L.  Ilarned,  wounded. 

Company  I. — Third  Sergeant  Wm.  Anthony,  killed  ;  private  Sam'l 
Wilson,  wounded. 

Company  J. — J.  J.  Moreton,  wounded. 

COMPANY    OF    SHARPSHOOTERS. 

Corp'l  John  Owens,  wounded  in  knee ;  private  L.  Stacey,  woundod 
in  arm. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Third  Kentucky  regiment — 

Commissioned  officers  wounded,  -                  -                  3 

Non-commissioned  officers  wounded,  -                 -         3 

"      killed,  -                 -                 I 

Privates  killed,            -                 -  -                  _         1 

*'       Avounded,                 -  -                  _                  9 

*'       missing,         -                  -  -                  -          1 

—     18 
('Seventh  Kentucky  regiment — 

Commissioned  officers  killed,      -  -               -  -         1 

"                  *'       wounded  -                  -                  1 

Non-commissioned  officers  wounded,  -                 -         3 

Privates  wounded,                 n  -                 -                  8 

"         missing,         -                 -  _        ,          _          1 

Carried  forward,     .         -         -  32 


167 

Brought  forward,  -         -         -         -            33 

Thirty-fifth  Alabama  regiment — 

Commissioned  officers  wounded,  -                  -                  3 

Non-commissioned  officers  wounded  -                 -         3 

Privates  killed,    -                  -  -                  -                  4 

"         wounded,       -                 -  -                 -       15 

*'          missing,                    -  -                  -                   1 


—     26 


Sixth  Kentucky  regiment — 

Commissioned  officers  wounded,  -                  -          1 

Non-commissioned  officers  killed,  -                 -                  2 

*'                        "       \vounded  -                  -         6 

Privates  killed,                      .  .                 .                  3 

"         wounded,       -                 -  -                 -       13 

Company  Sharpshooters — 

Non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  wounded        -         2 


25 


85 


Respectfully  submitted. 

G.  C.  HUBBARD, 
A.   A.  A.   General  first  brigade. 


List  of  names  of  killed,  locunded  and  missing,  in  the  battle  of  Baton 
Rouge  on  the  5th  i"st.,  in  the  Fourth  Regiment  Louisiana  Volunteers, 
Boyd's  Louisiana  Battalion  and  Semmcs'  Light  Battery. 

FOURTH    REGIMENT    LOUISIANA    VOLUNTEERS,  COMMANDED     BY    LIEUT.   COL. 

HUNTER. 

Company  II. — Orderly  Sergeant  I.  A.  Morgan,  Private  John  Atkins, 
killed;  Lietenant  A.  P.  Foister,  Corporal  L.  K.  Chaney,  Private 
Joseph  Murrin,  wounded;  C.  J.  Sparkman,  missing. 

Ccmpany  B. — Private  Qeorge  Hath,  killed  ;  Private  Fongeronssc, 
wounded  ;  Privates  C.  Mabin,  John  Wiltz,  Jack  Evans,  F.  Shilling 
missing. 

Company  C. — Privates  W.  H.  Simmons,  Peter  Lintz,  missing. 

Company  D. — Sergeants  Dawson,  J.  N.  Bourgwin,  Corporal  R. 
Waldo,  Private  D.  Lawrence,  R.  B.  Seedam,  wounded. 

Compauy  R. — Sergeant  H.  R.  Bonner,  wounded. 

Company  F. — Sergeant  G.  C.  Laumon,  Privates  W.  M.  Adams,  L. 
A.  Bernard,  W.  Montgomery,  Pierce  Guy,  wounded ;  R.  Sanchery, 
missing. 

Company  G. — Privates  P.  M.  Green,  killed ;  L.  M.  Powell,  wounded ; 
M.  Nash,  missing. 

Company  H. — Privates  Hilaire  Souquepie  L.  Beleau,  wounded  ; 
Corporal  S.  Miller,  Sergeant  T.  White,  Private  S.  Sireque,  mis- 
sing. 

Company  I. — Privates  S.  P.   Hutchinson,  killed  ;  D.   N.   Morgan, 


168 

wounded,  J.  M.  Blin,  L.  Carter,  W.  T.  Bennett,  J.  C.  Arbuthnot,  W. 

A.  Easley,  wounded. 

Company  K. — Private  T.  B.  Morgan,  wounded. 

THIRTy-NINTH  REGIMENT  MISSISSIPPI  VOUNTEERS,  TEMPORARILY  ATTACHED 
TO  FOURTH  LOUISIANA. 

Company  I. — Privates  Jonas  Morgan,  killed ;  H.  F.  Osborne, 
wounded. 

BOYd's    LOUISIANA    BATTALION. 

Lieut.  Col.  Boyd,  Avounded. 

Captain  BiiJfington''s  Company. — Lieut.  Z.  R.  Causey,  killed;  Privates 
William  B.  Banks,  John  C.  Bennett,  John  Beck,  M.  M.  Dicou,  James 
David,  Abe  Kirby,  J.  G.  Lothrop,  llenry  Turner,  John  Lee,  wounded; 
N.  D.  Carputter,  James  Doloun,  Aug.  Deis,  W.  T.  David,  Thomas 
Field,  T.  Henry,  R.  J.  Kerner,  Jules  DeBlanc,  Arraan  Misserable, 
Jackson  Ratcliff,  Anthony  Sanchery,  B.  B.  Spears,  Peter  Weiss,  James 
Beck,  missing. 

Capt.  Bynum^s  Company. — Privates  H.  Heinstock,  J.  Brown,  killed ; 
J.  J.  Wallace,  T.  Walters,  Wm.  Forbes,  T.  N.  Newson,  L.  Latel,  J. 
Mcintosh,  W.  Merchant,  J.  Stofford,  M.  Spoerecher,  IL  T.  Stammire, 

B.  Hopkins,  wounded. 

hpt.  Chinn's  Company. — Privates  John  Turpey,  J.  V.  Haddick, 
killed;  Capt.  B.  K.  Chinn,  Privates B.  Brady,  W.  Bennett,  C.  Howard, 
J.  Johnston,  J.  Littleton,  J.  Tabenon,  wounded ;  L.  J.  Patterson,  W. 
Emir,  missing. 

Semmes'  Battery. — Sergeant  J.  Dressing,  Privates  McNiel,  McKitch- 
en.  Wolf,  Hill,  killed ;  Sergeant  Bellum,  Corporal  Sawyers,  Privates 
Slattery,  Hall,  wounded. 

RECPITULATION. 

Killed, 16 

Wounded,       -         -         -         --         -         -         -         -57 

Missing,     ------         ---25 

Total, 98 

The  report  of  the  Thirtieth  Louisiana,  remaining  regiment  of  the 
Second  Brigade,  was  handed  to  Captain  Buckner  the  morning  he 
left. 

R.  M.  HOOE, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General 


List  of  the  Killed,  Wounded  and  Miss^ing  of  Sumter,  Thirtieth 
Louisiana  Regiment,  Commanded  by  Colonel  G.  A.  Breaux,  on  the  5th 
day  of  August,  1862,  at  the  Battle  of  Baton  Rouge. 

Company  A,  Captain  Picolet. 

Killed. — Corporal  M.  Mauricio,  private  F.  Moussirie. 
Dangerously   Wounded. — Sergeant  A.   EUipuy,    privates    A.    Fagot 
and  M.  Fernandey, 


169  ,# 

Slightly  Wounded. — Sergeant  Frinquieri. 

Missing. — Privates  A.  Mesa,  S.  Pascual,  J.  Peritro,  J.  Rodriguety 
and  C.  Payelle. 

Company  B,  Captain  De  La  Brettonne. 
Dangerously  Wounded. — Privates  A.  Clement  and  D.  Rodrique. 
Company  C,  Captain  C.  W,  Cushman. 

Killed. — Sergeant  J.  F.  Deslier,  privates  J.  L.  Welse,  F.  Webre, 
Frank,  Schuler,  Duffard,  Augan,  and  Buckley. 

Wounded. — Privates  Labin,  Brown,  Bramberg,  Hirt,  Reinhern, 
Hass  and  Kounswaller. 

Missing. — Lieutenant  A.  Dapremount,  and  dangerously  wounded; 
Corporals  Stanley  and  Frederick ;  privates  P.  Blesey  and  William 
Strieker. 

Company  D,  Captain  Rogers  F.  Boyle. 

Blissing. — Corporal  Bangs,  and  dangerously  wounded. 

Company  E,  Captain  N.  Trepagnier. 

Slightly  Wounded. — Corporals  Duvillier  and  W.  Schabel;  private 
A.  Lormand. 

Dangerously  Wounded. — G.  Hatters. 

Missing. — Captain  N.  Trepagnier,  dangerously  wounded ;  Sergeant 
Hymel,  dangerously  wounded  ;  privates  D.  Blanchard,  supposed  taken 
prisoner,  J.  Thomas,  supposed  taken  prisoner,  and  E.  Nuee,  supposed 
taken  prisoner. 

Company  F,  Captain  Fortin. 

Killed. — Privates  0.  Tellon  and  A.  Aubert. 

Slightly  Wounded. — Corporal  E.  R.  Barnett;  privates  C.  Cavillier, 
H.  Delery,  J.  R.  Stanton  and  E.  Tazende. 

Dangerously  Wounded. — Privates  A.  Castinede,  A.  Pence,  A.  Lornge 
and  J,  Kennie. 

Missing. — Sergeant  V.  Pejois,  slightly  wounded;  Private  J.  C. 
Villar,  dangerously  wounded. 

Company  G,  Captain  Breaux,  Lieutenant  Revin  Commanding. 

Slightly  Wounded. — Private  F.  Nicol. 
Dangerously  Wounded. — D.  Pourrier. 

Recapitulation. 

Killed,  12;  wounded,  28 ;  missing  18;  total,  58.  Enlisted  men, 
16;  officers,  2. 

GUS.  A.  BREAUX, 

Colonel. 


%  170 

Officers  and  Soldiers  mentioned  in  the  Report  of  Brigadier  General  Rug- 
gles,  Commanding  Second  Division. 

Colonel  A,  P.  Thompson  and  Colonel  II.  Wallen,  Brigade  Com- 
manders, both  severely  "wounded ;  fifth  Kentucky  regiment,  Captain 
Bowman;  seventh  Kentucky,  Colonel  Crossland,  and  his  color  bearer, 
James  Rawlings  ;  sixth  Kentucky  regiment.  Captains  Isaac  Smith, 
Utterback  and  Thomas  Page,  and  First  Lieutenant  F.  Ilarned;  thirty- 
sixth  Alabama,  Colonel  Robertson  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Goodwin  ; 
of  the  second  brigade,  the  fourth  Louisiana,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hunter,  Lieutenant  (?orkern,  Company  B,  Lieutenant  Jeter,  Company 
F,  and  Sergeant-Major  Daniels;  Battalion  of  Stewart's  Legion, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Sam  Boyd,  who  was  disabled  by  a  flesh  wound  in 
the  arm.  Capiain  Chinn  also  was  wounded,  the  command  devolved 
upon  Captain  Bynum,  who  acted  with  gallantry.  The  battalion 
thirtieth  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  commanded  by  Colonel  G.  A. 
Breaux,  who  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  officers  and  men  of  his  regi- 
ment, especially  Captain  N.  Trepagnier  and  Lieutenant  Papremont, 
both  wounded.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Shields,  thirtieth  Louisiana, 
commanding  separate  detachment,  who  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the 
intrepidity  of  Lieutenant  Fauntleroy,  commanding  section  of  guns  in 
his  detachment;  Captain  Semmes,  commanding  battery,  and  his  offi- 
cers, Lieutenants  Barnes  and  J.  A.  West,  performed  gallant  service. 
Captain  Blount,  Brigade  Inspector  of  second  brigade,  rendered  gal- 
lant service  in  the  field,  where  it  is  believed  he  has  fallen,  as  nothing 
has  been  heard  of  him  since.  I  also  have  the  gratification  to  name 
the  members  of  my  stiff,  who  served  with  me  on  this  occasion,  viz  : 
Lieutenant  L.  D.  Sandidge,  corps  artiller}',  C.  S.  A.,  A.  A.  A.,  and 
Inspector  General  Captain  George  Whitfield,  Chief  Quartermaster, 
Major  E.  S.  Ruggles,  acting  ordnance  officer,  and  acting  chief  com- 
missary of  subsistence.  First  Lieutenant  M.  B.  Ruggles,  aid-de-camp. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  Jones,  who  was  severely  wounded,  and 
Colonel  J,  0.  Fuqua,  District  Judge  Advocate  and  Provost  Marshal 
General,  who  were  all  distinguished  for  their  efficiency,  coolness  and 
gallantry  throughout  the  conflict.  The  following  officers,  attached  to 
the  general  staff,  also  rendered  gallant  service.  Captain  Sara.  Bnrd,  on 
special  service;  Lieutenant  A.  B.  DeSaulles;  Engineers,  Lieutenant 
H.  11.  Price  and  Lieutenant  II.  C.  Holt.  Other  officers  on  special 
service,  amongst  whom  were  Captain  Augustus  Scott,  commanding 
squadron  on  temporary  service.  Captains  Curry,  Henderson  and 
Lieutenant  Behcum,  as  volunteer  aids  for  the  occasion,  and  Captain 
J.  M.  Taylor  served  with  great  gallantry. 


4. 


Date  Due 

^UL  ■•      .£, 

Konii  :^:ir.~i5M 

— 7-36— S 

.  .,^^^   C748B -^ 


9  73.V42   C743B 


344350 


